South Korea's U-20 football team faced disappointment on February 26, 2025, as they were edged out by Saudi Arabia during the semifinals of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup. The nail-biting encounter, held at the Youth Football Training Center in Shenzhen, China, ended goalless after regular time and extra time, pushing the match to penalties where South Korea succumbed 2-3.
This highly anticipated match began with both teams showcasing their skills and strategic plays, with South Korea applying pressure early on. Under the guidance of coach Lee Chang-won, South Korea deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, with strikers like Ha Jung-woo and players such as Baek Min-kyu and Jin Tae-ho positioned to optimize their attack. Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, the Korean side found it challenging to break through Saudi Arabia's strong defense.
The first half saw numerous attempts on goal, including sharp crosses and well-executed set pieces. A notable moment occurred when Baek Min-kyu attempted to score from outside the box only for his shot to sail over the goalpost. Another close call came just before halftime when Park Seung-soo's header narrowly missed the target, leaving the teams locked at 0-0 as the first period concluded.
Returning for the second half, South Korea made tactical adjustments. They replaced Park Seung-soo with Yoon Do-young to inject fresh energy and diversify their offense. Despite the changes, chances remained elusive, with the pressure mounting as both teams fought for control of the midfield. An intense moment emerged when Jin Tae-ho was one-on-one with the Saudi goalkeeper, but his attempt was pushed wide, intensifying the frustration among the South Korean players.
The match extended to extra time, where South Korea continued to seek scoring opportunities. They kept pushing forward, yet Saudi Arabia maintained resilience, their goalkeeper making several key saves. After 120 minutes of rigorous play, with neither team able to score, the match headed to penalties, dramatically heightening the stakes.
The penalty shootout began with South Korea taking the first kick. Unfortunately for the Korean team, Kim Tae-won had his shot saved by the Saudi goalkeeper, creating immediate tension. Saudi Arabia capitalized on the opportunity and scored their opener. Meanwhile, South Korea faced heartbreak as Lee Chang-won's second kicker, Lee Chang-woo, struck the post, missing another golden chance. Amidst the pressure, Hong Sung-min, the South Korean goalkeeper, showcased his skills by saving key shots, breathing life back to the South Korean hopes.
When it came down to the final kicks, Kim Kyul's shot was stopped, allowing Saudi Arabia to convert their final attempt for victory at 3-2. The mood was somber as South Korea realized their dreams of reaching the finals of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup ended.
Despite the heartbreak, the tournament victorious moments include South Korea’s achievement of securing qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Coach Lee Chang-won reflected on the broader picture, stating, "This defeat is disappointing, but we still secured our spot at the World Cup and will take this as growth for our future." Player Kim Se-jin commented, "We fought hard, but we couldn't find the back of the net, and it stings to let this match slip away just like this." Goalkeeper Hong Sung-min added, "The energy was there, but we need to learn from this experience for the future."
While the defeat is certainly hard to digest, the South Korean U-20 team's qualification for the World Cup shines as both consolation and motivation moving forward. This experience will undoubtedly be foundational as the young athletes prepare for global competition later this year.