Kim Eun-Joong-ho stole the show in the first game as South Korea looks to reach back-to-back finals.
The South Korea U-20 soccer team, led by head coach Kim Eun-joong, won their first match of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup Group F against France 2-1 at the Mendoza Stadium in Argentina at 3 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
South Korea pulled off the upset, knocking off European powerhouse France.
South Korea lined up in a 4-4-2 formation. Park Chang-woo, Choi Seok-hyun, Kim Ji-soo, and Bae Seo-joon formed the defense in addition to Kim Jun-hong in goal.
Kang Sung-jin, Lee Seung-won, Lee Chan-wook, and Kim Yong-hak were in the midfield, while Kang Sang-yoon and Lee Young-joon were up front.
France countered with a 4-3-3 formation. In goal was Timothy Lo-Tutala, with Tangi Zoukru, Cheikh Keita, Jordi Semedo Varela, and Bryan Ferreira in defense.
Florent Da Silva-Sanchez, Warang Bondo, and Martin Adeline anchored the midfield, while Alain Birginius, Antoine Joubert, and Wilson Odoré attacked.
France dominated possession, while South Korea defended and looked for chances. Lee Young-joon opened the scoring in the 19th minute with his first shot on goal after winning the ball under pressure in the opponent’s half.
South Korea capitalized on their chances to take the lead. In the 22nd minute, after defending a corner kick, Kim Yong-hak received a forward pass and broke through. He connected with Lee Seung-won, who broke through on the other side, and Lee calmly finished.
France counterattacked and continued to attack Park Chang-woo’s left side. Thanks to the concentration of the central defense, they didn’t even allow a shot on goal.
After a goalless 토토사이트 first half, Korea took off Lee Chan-wook and brought on Park Hyun-bin at the start of the second half.
It was a crunch time. Four minutes into the second half, Park Hyun-bin headed a cross towards our goal that Kim Jun-hong barely managed to clear.
France continued to attack, and in the ninth minute of the second half, they advanced into our box, leading to a shot by Audaubert that went just wide.
South Korea capitalized on another chance up top. In the 18th minute of the second half, Lee Seung-won’s free kick from the left flank was headed home by Lee Young-joon.