"How dare they use South Korea as a test opponent?" Arrogant Japanese U-21s, and the older brothers ready to teach them a lesson

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[Financial News] If they lose tonight, it will be more than just a defeat. A humiliation far more painful than simply losing to Japan awaits.
The opponents are not even at full strength; they are "kids" from the under-21 squad put together with an eye on the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The South Korea national under-23 football team led by Lee Min-sung will face archrivals Japan in a do-or-die semifinal at 8:30 p.m. on the 20th (Korea time) in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A ticket to the final is on the line, but in the eyes of the public, what matters even more is pride.
Japan’s squad for this tournament is effectively a second-string side. While South Korea have also left out all Europe-based players but still built a full U-23 squad from domestic talent, Japan have filled their team mainly with players born in 2003–2004 at U-21 level, looking ahead two years to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
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To put it bluntly, they are treating South Korea as nothing more than a "test partner." What makes it even more infuriating is their performance.
These "younger brothers" have dominated the group stage with 10 goals scored and none conceded. If the older South Korean players lose to them, there will be no avoiding the ridicule that "South Korea can’t even beat players two years younger." That is the real reason Lee Min-sung’s men must play as if their lives depend on it tonight.
The situation is overwhelmingly unfavorable for South Korea. This is a tilted playing field. Japan played their quarterfinal on the 16th and then enjoyed a full three days of rest. South Korea, on the other hand, fought a grueling battle against Australia on the 18th and now take the field after just a single day off. It is a brutal schedule that has allowed for little more than recovery training.
Japan are poised to press South Korea by capitalizing on their physical advantage. If technically gifted Japanese players are also fresher, South Korea’s back line could be in for a long night. The only thing they can truly rely on is sheer fighting spirit. If they can overcome the disadvantage of two fewer days of rest with mental toughness and still beat Japan, there will be no sweeter drama.
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They have also sharpened their blades for revenge. Recently, South Korea have struggled against Japan at youth national team level. The 0–3 thrashing in the quarterfinals of the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup remains a particularly bitter memory. Even with Lee Kang-in on the pitch, they were ruthlessly torn apart by Japan’s organization.
This time is different. Riding the momentum from their win over Australia, Lee Min-sung’s side are out for payback under the command of head coach Lee Min-sung, the hero of the Battle of Tokyo. On the other side of the semifinal bracket, Vietnam coached by Kim Sang-sik are waiting. If South Korea can just get past Japan, it will set up the first-ever final between two South Korean head coaches.
Will it be the humiliation of losing to opponents two years younger, or a stern lesson that cuts arrogant Japan down to size?
At 8:30 p.m. tonight, under the night sky of Jeddah, the pride of South Korean football will be decided.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter