[Asian Games] Hwang Sunhong's Team Advances to Semifinals... Host China Defeated 2-0 'Goals by Hong Hyunseok and Song Mingyu'

The U-24 South Korea national football team, challenging for the first-ever men's football three-peat in Asian Games history, overcame the host nation China 2-0 to advance past the quarterfinal hurdle.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Led by coach Hwang Sun-hong, the U-24 football team secured a 2-0 victory against China in the men's football quarterfinals of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games held at Hangzhou Huanglong Sports Center Stadium on the 1st. The goals by Hong Hyun-seok and Song Min-kyu in the first half were well defended until the end. Overcoming the home advantage of the host nation, Hwang Sun-hong's team will face Uzbekistan, who defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1, in the semifinals on the 4th at 9 PM.

Hong Hyun-seok of the South Korean national football team celebrates after scoring the opening goal in the men's football quarterfinal match against China at the Huanglong Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on the 1st during the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Photo by Yonhap News

South Korea took the lead in the 18th minute of the first half with a free-kick goal by Hong Hyun-seok. Hwang Jae-won earned a foul just outside the right side of the opponent's penalty box in the 17th minute of the first half. Hong Hyun-seok precisely targeted the upper right corner of the Chinese goal with a sharp left-footed curling free kick to score the opening goal.

Song Min-kyu scored an additional goal in the 35th minute of the first half. Jo Young-wook broke through the opponent's right side and delivered a low cross to the rushing Song Min-kyu. Chinese goalkeeper Han Zhi tried to dive and punch the ball away, but the ball brushed past Han Zhi's right hand and rolled weakly toward the advancing Song Min-kyu, who easily pushed it in for the second goal.

China, failing to create significant attacking opportunities in the first half, made several counterattacks in the second half but failed to pose a serious threat. Ultimately, South Korea held on to the two first-half goals to secure their place in the semifinals.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.