Korea advance to knockout round of U-20 World Cup after 0-0 draw with Gambia

The U-20 national team recorded a goalless draw with the Gambia in their third 2023 World Cup group stage game at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, Argentina, on Sunday, reaching the round of 16 for the third time in a row.

Kim Yong-hak, left, vies for the ball with Sainey Sanyang during the 2023 U-20 World Cup group stage game between Korea and the Gambia at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, Argentina on Sunday. [KOREA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION]

The U-20 national team recorded a goalless draw with the Gambia in their third 2023 World Cup group stage game at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, Argentina, on Sunday, reaching the round of 16 for the third time in a row with one win and two draws in Group F.

Sunday's game was a formality since Korea had already secured a spot in the knockout stage as one of the four best third-place teams from the six groups.

The tournament rules stipulate that the four teams, determined first by the points obtained, goal difference if the points are the same, or the number of goals scored if the goal difference is also the same, reach the round of 16 with the six group winners and six runners-up.

U-20 manager Kim Eun-jung rested the best XI and made some changes ahead of a knockout stage game.

Midfielder Lee Ji-han and Park Hyun-bin started the match for the first time in the tournament, and goalkeeper Moon Hyun-ho was in the starting lineup in lieu of Kim Jun-hong, who was not on the roster due to yellow card accumulation.

The Gambia, who had managed two wins over France and Honduras in the group stage, was not an easy opponent from the beginning.

The African side created multiple chances with cohesive teamwork to open the scoring, but Korea's defense stayed firm to end the first half goalless.

The second half was similar, with the Gambia making more goal-scoring opportunities. Moon, however, made remarkable saves to keep the score 0-0.

The young Taeguk Warriors tried to bounce back with counter-attacks that they had displayed against France but failed to break through the Gambia's defense.

Their attacks through set-pieces in the last minutes also did not find the back of the net, ending the match goalless and advancing to the round of 16 as runners-up with one win and two draws — a 2-1 victory over France, 2-2 draw with Honduras and 0-0 draw with the Gambia.

"I rested some players in the first half against the Gambia," Kim said after the match. "I substituted in the key players in the second half in order for them to stay in the flow.

"All teams in the round of 16 are strong competitors, and I will try to find a way to win in the knockout stage."

Hwang In-taek, who held his side's defense firm, is also keen to reach the further stage of the tournament.

"The top priority is to recover," Hwang said. "We need to be confident, but we shouldn't be conceited. We will prepare well and work to advance to the quarterfinals and semifinals."

Korea's best finish in the competition was runners-up in the 2019 tournament when they reached the final for the first time ever and lost 3-1 to Ukraine.

The tournament is biennial and was to take place in 2021, but it was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Korea will face Ecuador in the round of 16 at Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero on Thursday at 6 p.m.

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