Korea 1-0 Japan to reach U-23 Asian Cup knockouts with zero conceded goals

Kim Min-woo headed in the sole goal of Korea's 1-0 win over age-old rivals Japan in an AFC U-23 Asian Cup group stage game on Monday, reaching the quarterfinals as Group B winners with three straight wins.

The U-23 Korean national team celebrates Kim Min-woo's goal during an AFC U-23 Asian Cup match against Japan at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on Monday. [AFP/YONHAP]

Kim Min-woo headed in the winner in Korea’s 1-0 victory over age-old rivals Japan in an AFC U-23 Asian Cup group stage game on Monday, reaching the quarterfinals as Group B winners with three straight wins.

The fixture at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar was a formality for both sides, as they had already locked in spots in the quarterfinals after their second group stage games last week. The game was still to determine which side would top Group B of the tournament, which serves as an Olympic qualifying event where the top three finishers earn direct tickets to Paris.

Korea’s starting XI saw some changes from the previous two games. Jeong Sang-bin replaced forward Lee Young-joon, who scored all three of Korea's goals in the first two fixtures, in a striker position.

Japan had more possession in the midfield for the majority of the first half, but that did not translate into solid chances, with Korea displaying cohesion in defense.

Korea also failed to produce anything serious. Hong Yun-sang found a chance right in front of goal and recorded Korea’s only shot during the first half, but it was not on target.

Korea's Hong Yun-sang, right, vies for the ball with Japan's Shota Fujio during an AFC U-23 Asian Cup match at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on Monday. [AFP/YONHAP]

The second half saw Korea progressing its build-up with pace, although a few mistimed touches hindered Korea from recording shots.

But there was Kim, who broke the deadlock in the 75th minute, heading in the ball from a corner by Lee Tae-seok. That goal marked Lee’s third assist in the Asian Cup.

The remaining minutes of the game were one-sided, with Japan constantly attempting shots, but Korea’s defense stayed sturdy through the end, sealing a 1-0 victory.

“We played as we prepared,” Lee said after the match. “I look at a specific spot when I take a corner. Since our players are aware of it, I could say that we prepared something as a team, not I prepared something with just Kim Min-woo.”

With Monday’s win, Korea joined the last eight with zero goals conceded in the group stage, having secured a 1-0 win over the United Arab Emirates and 2-0 victory over China.

The quarterfinals begin Thursday, with Japan facing Group A winners Qatar and Korea playing against Group A runners-up Indonesia led by Korean manager Shin Tae-yong, who previously led the senior Korean national team for the 2018 World Cup.

The semifinals are set to take place on April 29, followed by a third-place match on May 2 and the final on May 3.

Finishing in the top three would be crucial for Korea, as a fourth-place team must win a playoff against Guinea to qualify for the Games.

Korea have been successful in previous Olympic qualifiers as the only team to have qualified for the Games a record nine straight times.

Qualifying for the Olympics will be another achievement for U-23 manager Hwang Sun-hong, who won a gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year — defeating Japan 2-1 in the final.

The young Taeguk Warriors will play the quarterfinal against Indonesia at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. local time, or 2:30 a.m. on Friday in Korea.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]