The lack of a standout star player has led to the uncomfortable label of the Valley Generation, but coach Kim Eun-joong’s one-man show has taken them to the quarterfinals of the U-20 World Cup. It’s the second consecutive quarterfinal, following Lee Kang-in (Mallorca) in Poland four years ago. Now, they will try to reach the quarterfinals of two consecutive tournaments.
Kim Eun-jung’s U-20 team will face Nigeria in the quarterfinals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 on Friday (June 5) at the Santiago del Estero Stadium in Argentina.
The U-20s hold a 2-2 record against the Nigerians. They have met twice at the U-20 World Cup, with a 1-1 draw. At the 2005 World Youth Championship (now U-20 World Cup), South Korea won 2-1 thanks to back-to-back goals from Park Joo-young and Baek Ji-hoon, and lost 0-1 in 2013.
South Korea’s soccer prospects reached the quarterfinals with their original teams.
Lee Seung-won (Gangwon FC), Lee Young-joon (Gimcheon Commerce), and Kim Yong-hak (Portimonense) led the attack, while No. 10 ace Bae Jun-ho (Daejeon Hana Citizen), who was slowed in the group stage by a sore thigh, bounced back with a goal and an assist in the round of 16 against Ecuador.
He scored seven goals in three games, excluding the final group game against Gambia, where he used a rotation. He was no slouch in firepower matches against European and South American powerhouses.
However, the defense was a bit shaky.
Five goals in four games. While the defense was solid, three goals were conceded on penalties. They conceded penalties against France, Honduras, and Ecuador. Part of this is due to poor officiating, but they also need to refrain from making unnecessary moves in the penalty box.
Nigeria’s strength is their African physicality.
The counterattack is their strongest weapon. They were drawn in the Group of Death (Group D) alongside Brazil and Italy, but managed to qualify with 2 wins, 1 loss, and a third place finish. In the round of 16, they upset hosts and heavy favorites Argentina to reach the quarterfinals.
It’s nice to see that the quarterfinals were held in Santiago del Estero, where the round of 16 was held. However, they had one less day to recover than Nigeria, who played the round of 16 a day earlier.스포츠토토
South Korean soccer prospects have been strong against African teams at the U-20 World Cup. Five wins, three draws, and three losses. They defeated South Africa and Senegal (on penalties) four years ago and Guinea in 2017. They have won three straight against African teams since a loss to Nigeria in 2013.