Lee Young-jun equalizes, Bae Jun-ho nets winner in comeback victory

Final set for Oct. 3 against winner of Japan-Uzbekistan semifinal

South Korea's Lee Young-jun celebrates after scoring the equalizer against China in the men's football semifinal of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan, on Wednesday. [Yonhap]
South Korea's Lee Young-jun celebrates after scoring the equalizer against China in the men's football semifinal of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan, on Wednesday. [Yonhap]

South Korea's men's football team came from behind to defeat China and now stands one win away from a fourth consecutive Asian Games gold medal.

The under-23 national team, coached by Lee Min-sung, beat China 2-1 in the men's football semifinal of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan, on Wednesday.

Having claimed gold at the 2014 Incheon, 2018 Jakarta-Palembang and 2022 Hangzhou Games, South Korea has now reached four consecutive Asian Games finals. The team holds the all-time record of six Asian Games men's football titles and will now chase a seventh gold medal.

The final takes place at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture on Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. South Korea's opponent will be the winner of the Japan-Uzbekistan semifinal.

South Korea conceded first in the 22nd minute, when Wang Yudong brought down a lofted pass from Wu Xi on his chest, cut into the left side of the penalty area and finished with his left foot. The response came quickly: in the 33rd minute, Lee Young-jun headed home a corner kick delivered by Eom Ji-sung to level the score at 1-1. Lee, who had scored twice against Vietnam in the quarterfinals, notched his third goal of the tournament.

South Korea's Bae Jun-ho dribbles during the men's football semifinal of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games against China at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan, on Wednesday. [Yonhap]
South Korea's Bae Jun-ho dribbles during the men's football semifinal of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games against China at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan, on Wednesday. [Yonhap]

In the second half, South Korea struggled to break down China's compact defense and nearly conceded in the 79th minute when Kim Ji-su's attempted clearance of a cross nearly deflected into his own net. The danger passed, and the winner arrived three minutes later: Eom Ji-sung burst down the left flank and delivered a cross that Bae Jun-ho headed in to complete the comeback. South Korea held on to secure their place in the final.

The victory also ended a two-game losing streak against China at this age level. South Korea had lost 1-0 to China at the Yancheng International Friendly Tournament in March last year and fell 2-0 at the Panda Cup in November last year, after Lee Min-sung took charge.


yjc@heraldcorp.com