"Targeting a Fourth Consecutive Title," Lee Min-sung’s side secures a quarterfinal berth after just one game... First-place decider against Saudi Arabia on the 22nd [Nagoya Asian Games]

[Financial News] South Korea’s men’s national football team, which is seeking an unprecedented fourth consecutive title at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, secured its place in the quarterfinals early after playing just one group-stage match.
Saudi Arabia routed Qatar 2-0 in the second Group D match of the men’s football group stage at Mizuho Park Rugby Stadium in Nagoya, Japan, on the 18th.
The result determined the two quarterfinalists from Group D early. The tournament was originally scheduled to feature 16 countries, but Iraq’s withdrawal reduced the field to 15 teams. As a result, Group D consisted of only three teams: South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
South Korea, which thrashed Qatar 4-1 in the opening group-stage match on the 15th, moved level with Saudi Arabia at one win and three points. Qatar, meanwhile, was eliminated in last place after suffering two defeats and earning no points, with no matches remaining. Therefore, South Korea and Saudi Arabia both secured at least second place and a quarterfinal ticket regardless of the result of their head-to-head match on the 22nd.
South Korea currently leads Group D with a +3 goal difference, ahead of Saudi Arabia’s +2. Lee Min-sung’s side will face Saudi Arabia on the 22nd in a decisive battle for first place in the group.
Even on the 18th, when the team secured a fortunate quarterfinal berth without playing, the national squad did not stop preparing. In the morning, the players completed tactical training at the athletics field at Toyota City Sports Park. In the afternoon, they held an indoor session in the weight-training facilities at their hotel to improve their condition. Lee Min-sung and the coaching staff personally visited the stadium hosting the Saudi Arabia-Qatar match to closely scout the strength of Saudi Arabia, their next opponent.
South Korea’s men’s football team has won three consecutive Asian Games titles at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, and the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, which were held in 2023. At the Nagoya tournament, the team is seeking an unprecedented fourth consecutive gold medal.
[email protected] Park Ji-hyun Reporter