Korea advance to U-17 Asian Cup semifinals

The U-17 national team beat host nation Thailand 4-1 in the quarterfinals of the AFC Asian Cup on Sunday, advancing to the semifinals and booking a spot in the World Cup twice in a row.

Korea's Yun Do-yong, center, dribbles the ball during an 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup game against Thailand at BG Stadium in Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani, Thailand, on Sunday. [YONHAP]

The U-17 national team beat host nation Thailand 4-1 in the quarterfinals of the AFC Asian Cup on Sunday, advancing to the semifinals and booking a spot in the World Cup twice in a row.

The young Taeguk Warriors, led by manager Byun Sung-hwan, displayed aggressive football from the start as they had in the group stage — having scored 10 goals in three group stage games — scoring just inside four minutes with Kang Min-woo’s header that started from a free kick.

Thailand bounced back with Dutsadee Buranajutanon’s equalizer in the 16th minute, but Korea regained the lead after Kim Myeong-jun slotted in the ball in the 37th minute from a free kick — nearly identical to the free kick during the first goal.

Korea rode that momentum, and Yun Do-yong made it 3-1 in the 69th minute before Kim Hyun-min added one more with a shot outside the penalty box in the 84th minute to seal a 4-1 victory.

Korea has been prolific in the tournament so far, picking up 14 goals in four matches — a 6-1 victory over Qatar, 4-0 against Afganistan and 4-1 against Thailand.

The 2-0 loss against Iran in the group stage was the only match in which Korea failed to score.

“It was a really tough game, but the players did well on the pitch as we had prepared,” Byun said after Sunday's match. “I want to sincerely thank the players for allowing me to have such a special experience.”

Korea has won the Asian Cup twice, in 1986 and 2002. Their best finish in the past decade was runners-up in 2014.

“We’ve never changed our style of play, principles or the direction we seek since the tournament started,” Byun said. “We tried to maintain our football despite some changes outside. We managed to get through.”

The young Taeguk Warriors will face either Saudi Arabia or Uzbekistan in the semifinals, who were due to play against each other in the quarterfinals later at night as of press time Monday.

Another quarterfinal match between defending champions Japan and Australia was also due to take place on Monday.

The winner of that match will take on Iran in the semifinals, who beat Yemen on penalties in the quarterfinals.

Korea’s semifinal game will take place on Thursday at BG Stadium in Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani.

The young Taeguk Warriors will also participate in the upcoming World Cup set to start in November in Indonesia, as they secured a place in the tournament — Asian Cup semifinalists all earn a spot in the World Cup.

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