The South Korean U-20 football team has secured their spot for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup after overcoming Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup with a nail-biting penalty shootout. This significant achievement was realized on February 23, 2025, at the youth football training base in Shenzhen, China.
Under the guidance of Coach Lee Chang-won, the team entered the match with high hopes, having completed the group stage with two wins and one draw, placing them first in their group. Their progress led them to face Uzbekistan, the defending champions who previously defeated South Korea comprehensively during the last tournament.
The match commenced with drama right from the start. Just two minutes in, South Korea found themselves under pressure as goalkeeper Hong Sung-min was penalized, leading to the awarding of a penalty kick to Uzbekistan. Fortunately, Hong's exceptional reflexes saved the day as he thwarted the oppponent's attempt from the spot, setting the tone for what was to come.
Despite the bright start, South Korea soon conceded the first goal during the 18th minute, where Uzbekistan capitalized on a corner kick. They maintained composure amid early adversity and equalized shortly after; the South Korean side scored through forward Shin Min-ha, who seized on goalkeeping miscommunication from Uzbekistan.
The match shifted momentum following South Korea’s equalizer. They took the lead just after halftime with another goal from Shin Min-ha, who headed home from another set piece. Kim Tae-won's goal at the 61st minute provided what appeared to be additional breathing space, bringing the score to 3-1 and showcasing South Korea's offensive prowess.
Yet, the match wasn’t over. With just minutes left to play, South Korea’s defense faltered. Two late goals from Uzbekistan turned the tide dramatically, first through Muhammad Ali Orinboyev at the 90th minute, and then another equalizer from Abdulkahor Kaidarov deep in stoppage time, forcing the match to extra time.
Extra time yielded no additional goals, thrusting both teams to the edge as they prepared for the penalty shootout—an ultimate test of nerve and skill. South Korea's first kicker, Kim Tae-won, confidently slotted the opening penalty before Hong Sung-min made yet another game-defining save against Uzbekistan's Karimov.
Each succeeding turn brought tension; South Korea's second kicker, Lee Geon-hee, struck the post, but Hong's consistent excellence kept the advantage alive as the teams continued to trade missed shots. The drama escalated when Shin Min-ha missed his attempt, deeply impacting the team but faltering on Uzbekistan's side too, tying the shootout.
Eventually, with the spotlight glaring, Kim Ho-jin confidently put one away, followed by another magnificent save from Hong, solidifying their victory. South Korea triumphed through penalties 3-1, ensuring they would advance to the semi-finals against Saudi Arabia.
After this monumental victory, Coach Lee Chang-won expressed his pride for his team's resilience. He stated, "We are going to the U-20 World Cup, and I couldn't be prouder of my team today," which echoed the sentiments beyond the match.
Goalkeeper Hong Sung-min also highlighted the pressure felt but remarked on the composure displayed during the penalties: "The pressure was immense, but we kept our composure at the end." Meanwhile, forward Shin Min-ha vocalized the confidence the team now carries: "We believe we can win the tournament now," showcasing the elevated morale following their qualification.
The victory not only secures their advancement to the next round of the Asian Cup but also affirms South Korea's place on the global stage as they head to the FIFA U-20 World Cup set to take place this September. Awaiting them will be fresh challenges and the dream to excel on one of football's prestigious platforms.