Korea crash out of U-20 Asian Cup with loss to Uzbekistan on penalties

Korea crashed out of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup on Wednesday, losing 3-1 to host nation Uzbekistan in the semifinals at Milly Stadium in Tashkent.

The U-20 Korean national football team reacts after losing to Uzbekistan in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup semifinals at Milly Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

Korea crashed out of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup on Wednesday, losing 3-1 on penalties to host nation Uzbekistan in the semifinals at Milly Stadium in Tashkent.

The loss came after a goalless 120 minutes and a penalty shootout, which Korea lost 3-1.

The first half was neck-and-neck, but neither side found the back of the net.

Uzbekistan made more chances in the second half, but goalkeeper Kim Jun-hong made good saves to take the game into extra time.

The central Asian side found more goal-scoring opportunities again in extra time, but still could not get that much-needed goal, forcing a penalty shootout.

Korea was off to a shaky start, with the first penalty taker Kang Seong-jin missing his penalty.

Uzbekistan’s Abbosbek Fayzullaev, on the other hand, scored the team’s first penalty.

Korea’s second penalty taker then missed a penalty again, while Mahmud Mahamadjonov found the back of the net.

Park Chang-woo scored Korea's first penalty on the team's third attempt, but that was not enough to save his side as Kim Ji-soo missed his shot, sending Uzbekistan through the final.

Korea, who finished as runners-up in the 2018 Asian Cup, has again missed a chance to win the title.

The young Taeguk Warriors, however, still secured a ticket to the U-20 World Cup as one of the top four finishers.

Iraq, who beat Japan 5-3 in a penalty shootout on Wednesday, will face Uzbekistan in the final on Saturday.

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