Lee Min-sung-led Korea thrashes Saudi Arabia 2-0 to advance to quarterfinals as group winners... Faces Vietnam on the 25th [Nagoya Asian Games]

[Financial News] Korea's men's national football team thrashed Saudi Arabia to advance to the quarterfinals as group winners. The result boosted Korea's hopes of winning a fourth consecutive Asian Games title after avoiding Uzbekistan and Japan.
The U-23 men's national football team led by coach Lee Min-sung secured a place in the quarterfinals as Group D winners with a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in the second group-stage match of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Mizuho Park Rugby Stadium in Nagoya on the 22nd.
Korea struggled somewhat despite leading 7-4 in shots during the first half and failing to score. The match was decided by back-to-back goals from Shin Min-ha and Kim Myung-jun in the 22nd and 24th minutes of the second half.
Speaking at a press conference after the match, coach Lee said, "I thought it would be a difficult game. We were not quite satisfied with our movement early in the first half, but as the game went on, we penetrated the spaces we had targeted well and created chances." He added, "I congratulate the players for staying focused until the end and securing the victory. We will do our best to continue putting in good performances."
After defeating Qatar 4-1 and then overcoming Saudi Arabia, Korea recorded six points and advanced to the quarterfinals as Group D leaders. In the quarterfinals on the 25th, Korea will face Vietnam, the relatively weaker second-place team from Group C. By avoiding the powerful Uzbekistan and hosts Japan at the first stage of the knockout tournament, Korea strengthened its hopes of reaching the final.
Coach Lee said, "From the quarterfinals onward, it is a tournament, so we have to choose a safe approach." He added, "The fans may want good performances, but from now on, we will play with clarity under the objective of getting results."
Lee Young-jun, who joined the team from Switzerland the previous day due to circumstances with his club, came on for Kim Myung-jun in the 31st minute of the second half to build up his match fitness ahead of the knockout stage. His arrival is expected to provide the national team with fresh energy from the tournament onward.
Coach Lee said, "Lee Young-jun was not in peak condition after a long flight, but he played the style of football we wanted, serving as a target up front and holding up the ball well." He added, "Lee Young-jun will fill the void left by Kim Myung-jun, who is tired after expending a great deal of energy over the two matches.


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