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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| APYonhap News |
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Japanese soccer, which had been on a roll, stopped walking in the round of 16. Now, South Korea has become the only Asian team to survive the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2025.
Japan lost 0-1 to France in the round of 16 of the tournament at Estadio Nazionale Julio Martinez Pradhanos in Santiago, Chile, on the 9th (Korea time).
As a result, Japan continued its jinx of not exceeding the 16th round for 22 years after reaching the quarterfinals at the 2003 United Arab Emirates Games. They stayed in the round of 16 at the 2005 Netherlands, 2007 Canada, 2017 South Korea and 2019 Poland, respectively, and were eliminated from the group stage at the 2023 Argentina tournament.
This is in contrast to South Korea, which won a surprise runner-up at the 2019 Poland competition and reached the semifinals of two consecutive tournaments at the 2023 Argentina competition. Japan's U-20 national team's best record was the runner-up at the 1999 Nigeria Games. Saudi Arabia and Australia were eliminated from the group stage.
Upon hearing the news of Japan's early elimination, South Korea is scheduled to compete with Morocco in the quarterfinals at 8 a.m. on the 10th at Estadio El Teniente.
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| APYonhap News |
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Japan emerged as the best sensation in the tournament by winning against Egypt (2-0), Chile (2-0), and New Zealand (3-0) without losing a single goal.
The game didn't go as it should. It was a fierce attack from the beginning, but it was blocked by goalkeeper Lisandru Olmeta's successive saves. Midfielder Saito in the 2nd minute of the first half??Ske (Mito Holyhawk) left footed shot and midfielder Ryunosuke Sato (Okayama Faziano) left footed shot in the 20th minute were ineffective. In the 25th minute, striker Kanda Soma (Kawasaki Frontale) seemed to have tripped over his opponent while trying to get a pass from midfielder Yuto Ozeki (Kawasaki Frontale) in the penalty area, but no penalty was declared. Yuzo Funakoshi asked the judges to review the video, but the decision was not reversed. The first half ended in a 0-0 tie.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Japan, which was aggressive enough to shoot a total of 23 shots on the day, failed to open France's goal in the second half, and the game eventually went into extra time. In the third minute of the second half of extra time, a penalty was declared due to a handball foul by Japanese defender Umeki Rei (Imabari). Japan replaced goalkeeper Pisano with Araki to increase its willingness to defend, but Luca Michel (Lil OSC) calmly scored. The match ended in a 1-0 victory for France.
With France's advance to the quarterfinals, six of the eight teams have been decided. Mexico and Argentina, Spain and Colombia will each compete for the semifinals in the quarterfinals. France clash with Paraguay. South Korea will meet the winner with the U.S.-Italy if it beats Morocco.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
