Lee Young-jun Scores Two as South Korea Crushes Vietnam to Advance to Asian Games Semifinals

The South Korea men’s national football team secured a decisive 4-0 victory over Vietnam in the quarterfinals of the Asian Games men’s football tournament, held on the 25th at the Mizuho Park Rugby Stadium in Nagoya, Japan. This win is highly significant as it thoroughly washes away the painful memories of the recent age-group tournament in January and firmly establishes the team’s path toward a fourth consecutive Asian Games title. Manager Lee Min-sung’s ambitious “aerial bombardment” tactic proved to be a perfect fit, allowing the team to play with refreshing ease. In particular, the tallest attacker, Lee Young-jun, scored a brace, playing a pivotal role as the spearhead of the attack. This was complemented by additional goals from Kim Ji-su and Kim Myung-jun, completing a perfect victory. The team will now face another fierce battle for a spot in the final in Osaka on the 30th.

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Lee Young-jun Scores Two as South Korea Crushes Vietnam to Advance to Asian Games Semifinals

1. Manager Lee Min-sung’s Clever Tactic: Preparing for Aerial Bombardment

Sometimes, a powerful weapon that the opponent knows about but cannot stop can completely turn the tide of a match. Ahead of this tournament, Manager Lee Min-sung meticulously honed a tactic that fully utilizes height as a secret weapon. Accurately identifying that the Vietnamese defensive line is relatively short on average, he structured the game plan around a target man. This strategy became the primary factor in seizing control by relentlessly threatening the opponent’s goal from the early stages of the match. The manager’s meticulous analysis combined with the players’ perfect execution ability led to a fantastic result. The tactic envisioned by the manager was not just about winning aerial duels but was a three-dimensional approach that also considered organic connection with the flanks. The players precisely replicated the coordination they had repeatedly practiced during training on the pitch, down to the finest details.

2. The Opening Goal from Lee Young-jun, the Finisher from Switzerland

Lee Young-jun, who joined the national team slightly later than others due to club schedule conflicts, displayed an immense presence despite not being in perfect physical condition. Lee Hyun-ju calmly received a long pass from Kim Ji-su in the back and delivered a sharp cross from the flank. At that moment, Lee Young-jun, who was surging toward the goal, deftly changed the direction with a high-point header, breaking the opponent’s net. As if shaking off the stress of the tournament, Lee Young-jun scored his first goal and broke into a bright smile. Despite standing 192 centimeters tall, his exceptional ball skills and ability to penetrate space left the opposing defenders with no choice but to watch helplessly. The celebration with his teammates also served as a catalyst to boost the team’s morale to its peak.

3. The Thrill of Danger and the Charm of Tactical Changes

After the opening goal, the match did not unfold as easily as expected, leading to some precarious moments. As attacks down the flanks failed to materialize and passing errors piled up, the team actually allowed Vietnam to launch counterattacks, creating tense scenes. In the middle of the first half, a shot from the opponent hit the post, causing a heart-stopping moment of danger. Manager Lee Min-sung immediately made substitutions at halftime, throwing down a bold gamble to regain the flow of the game. The players watching from the bench also showed heightened concentration, jumping onto the pitch with renewed focus as the second half began. Thanks to the manager’s quick response, the team regained the upper hand in the midfield battle and began to dominate the match again.

4. Kim Ji-su’s Additional Goal Solidifies the Momentum of Victory

Continuing to hammer away at the goal even after the mid-second-half, the South Korean team finally reaped the rewards from a set piece. In the 32nd minute of the second half, from a corner kick opportunity, Lee Young-jun flew high and accurately dropped the ball to Shin Min-ha in front of the goal. Shin Min-ha’s powerful shot deflected off a defender, and Kim Ji-su, who did not miss the chance, pushed it in with his right foot to score the additional goal. It was a moment where Kim Ji-su, who plays for Brentford, shone with his intelligent positioning and focus. With this goal, the momentum of the match tilted completely in favor of South Korea, and the Vietnamese players’ will to chase the game was significantly dampened. The sight of a defender actively participating in the attack to create a goal provided immense thrill to the fans.

5. Lee Young-jun Completes His Brace to Seal a Decisive Victory

Just four minutes after the additional goal, the star of the day, Lee Young-jun, once again fully demonstrated his finisher’s instinct. Penetrating deep into the Vietnamese territory, Lee Young-jun calmly aimed for the goal and successfully scored his second goal of the match. Having completed his brace, Lee Young-jun ran across the pitch unable to hide his joy, while loud cheers erupted from the bench and the stands. Subsequently, Kim Myung-jun, who came on as a substitute, joined the scoring spree, bringing the score to a massive 4-0. Football fans watching the match cheered at the perfect performance, unable to hide their anticipation for a fourth consecutive Asian Games title. It was a thoroughly satisfying match that swept away all past head-to-head records and painful memories against Vietnam.

6. Determination for the Semifinals and Outlook for the Upcoming Decisive Battle

This decisive victory over Vietnam is more than just a win in a single match; it served as an opportunity to imprint the national team’s resilience on the entire Asian football community. Now, in the semifinal to be held in Osaka on the 30th, the team will face the winner of the match between China and Thailand for a ticket to the final. At a time when physical management and injury prevention are paramount, the coaching staff’s delicate management skills are required. Since all the players are united in one heart, there is a very high possibility that they will return home in triumph with the gold medal around their necks. We ask our readers to send their warmest support so that our players can play a wonderful match without getting injured in the upcoming semifinal. We firmly believe in the resilience of South Korean football and are confident that they will win the remaining matches beautifully.

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