South Korea's U-20 football team faced heartbreak on February 26, 2025, as they were eliminated from the AFC U-20 Asian Cup, falling to Saudi Arabia in the semifinals through penalty kicks after the match ended 0-0 after regular and extra time. Coach Lee Chang-won had led his squad through a demanding tournament, but it all came down to this tense encounter at the Youth Football Training Base Central Stadium in Shenzhen, China, where the stakes were high and hopes were riding on the young players.
Having already achieved their primary goal of qualifying for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup set for September 2025, the team's expectations were also focused on capturing the Asian Cup championship—a title they have not held since 2012. After managing to defeat Uzbekistan, the defending champions, on February 23 via penalty shootouts, South Korea entered the semifinals brimming with confidence and determination.
Before the match against Saudi Arabia, Coach Lee expressed optimism. "We made it to this point after overcoming many difficulties. I am confident the players will perform well against Saudi Arabia," he stated, rallying his team for the challenging matchup.
During the match, both teams fought fiercely for dominance, highlighting South Korea's attacking strategy and Saudi Arabia's organized defense. With several close calls, including attempts by players like Kim Kyul and Huh Jung-woo, South Korea dominated possession but struggled to find the back of the net. The first half finished with no goals, as South Korea's well-planned attacks were consistently thwarted at the last moment.
The second half began with substitutions aimed at enhancing South Korea's performance. Lee brought on fresh legs, including Yun Do-young, to revitalize the offense. Despite having several promising opportunities, including header attempts and shots from distance, the prolific finish remained elusive. South Korea's attempts, such as Yun Do-young's precise cross taken by Kim Tae-won, narrowly missed the goal.
With the score still tied 0-0 after exhausting 120 minutes of play, including extra time, the match proceeded to penalty shootouts—a scenario for which both teams had to display nerve and precision. The tension was palpable as South Korea took the first kick only to see team captain Kim Tae-won's effort stopped by the Saudi goalkeeper, Ahmed Al-Shanqi. This early misstep set the tone for what would be a nail-biting and dramatic shootout.
After exchange of successful kicks, including goals from Kim Ho-jin and Kim Seo-jin, South Korea faced the looming pressure of their final kick. When Kim Kyul's shot was saved, hopes dwindled as Saudi Arabia's last shooter, Ali Al-Mahdawy, converted, sealing the match 3-2 for Saudi Arabia.
The disheartening defeat reflected years of struggle for South Korea, who, having previously dominated U-20 tournaments with 12 championships, found themselves without the title since the 2012 contest held in the UAE. The pressure to reclaim past glory after 13 years added to the weight of this loss, which was reminiscent of previous near-miss encounters with Saudi Arabian sides.
Reflecting on the match, player Kim Kyul expressed disappointment and gratitude for the chance to compete at such high levels. "It was disappointing to lose after such hard work," he remarked, echoing the sentiment felt by fans and followers of the team alike.
With this timely reminder of their potential and prowess, South Korea's U-20 squad now shifts focus toward the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Their performance throughout the Asian Cup has surely set high expectations for their advancement on the international stage later this year. The experiences, trials, and spirit shown within the tournament should serve as valuable lessons—one they surely hope to learn from as they take the field again.