"China's Kung Fu Soccer Finally Crushed"—Lee Min-sung's South Korea Beats China 2-1 to Reach Final, One Win from Historic Four-Peat [Nagoya Asian Games]

[Financial News] China's resistance at the final's doorstep was fierce, but Lee Min-sung's side finally turned the match around through its determination to win a fourth consecutive Asian Games title. It was a complete comeback, as South Korea conceded first but steadily fought back to reverse the result.
South Korea's national under-23 football team, coached by Lee Min-sung, defeated China 2-1 in the men's football semifinal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan, on the 30th. Following the 2014 Incheon, 2018 Jakarta-Palembang, and 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, South Korea is now just one match away from an unprecedented fourth consecutive title in Asian Games history.
More than anything, it was a satisfying revenge victory that ended South Korea's recent two-game losing streak against China. South Korea suffered consecutive defeats at the Yancheng International Friendly Tournament in March last year, losing 0-1, and at the China Panda Cup in November, losing 0-2. But in a true full-strength matchup featuring overage wildcards and Europe-based players, South Korea showed the full bite of its football.


The match began uncertainly. Lee Gi-hyuk (Gangwon FC), a midfield linchpin and overage wildcard, was left out of the starting lineup because of inflammation in his foot and had to wait on the bench. With Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City) wearing the captain's armband in his place, Lee Young-jun (Grasshopper Club Zürich), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), and Lee Hyun-ju (Arouca) formed the attacking line.
South Korea struggled against China's compact five-man defensive block and was hit by a surprise attack in the 22nd minute. Chinese midfielder Wu Xi sent a lofted pass from the center circle, which Wang Yudong controlled with his chest before beating the South Korean goalkeeper with a sharp left-footed shot.
The Taegeuk Warriors did not panic. Just 11 minutes after conceding, Lee Young-jun rose to the occasion in the 33rd minute. From a corner, Eom Ji-sung delivered a precise cross, and Lee Young-jun powered a high header into the net to level the match in an instant. It was Lee Young-jun's third goal of the tournament, following his brace in the quarterfinal against Vietnam.




After halftime, Lee Min-sung brought on Kang Sang-yoon (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) for Lee Hyun-ju and moved Bae Jun-ho to the right in a tactical adjustment. China also produced occasional counterattacks that caused anxious moments. In the 79th minute, Kim Ji-soo (Brentford) attempted to clear Mutalifu Yimingkari's cross from the right with his head, but the ball narrowly missed the left post, allowing South Korea to avoid an own-goal scare.
After surviving a moment on the brink of disaster, South Korea finally completed the comeback. In the 82nd minute, Eom Ji-sung delivered another exquisite cross after breaking down the left flank. Bae Jun-ho, charging into the box, redirected it with a header to score the winning goal. It was a moment when Eom Ji-sung's two assists and the scoring instinct of South Korea's Europe-based forwards shone through.
Lee Min-sung then brought on defenders Kyung-sub Park (Incheon United) and Kim Myung-jun (KRC Genk) one after another late in the second half, preserving the one-goal lead until the final whistle.
South Korea, having secured its place in the final with a thrilling comeback win, will face the winner of the Uzbekistan-Japan semifinal, scheduled for the afternoon of the 30th. The final for the gold medal will be held at 7:30 p.m. on October 3 at Toyota Stadium.


[email protected] Jeon Sang-il Reporter