AFC U23 Asian Cup
The 2020 champions and 2016 runners-up, who have not missed a single edition of the Finals, also made the semi-finals in 2013 and 2018.
Their hopes of advancing further in 2022 were dashed when they lost 3-0 to Japan and then to debutants Indonesia in 2024 after being outgunned in a marathon 11-10 penalty shootout.
Their hopes of advancing further in 2022 were dashed when they lost 3-0 to Japan and then to debutants Indonesia in 2024 after being outgunned in a marathon 11-10 penalty shootout.
Factfile
Previous appearances: 6
Best finish: Champions (2020)
2024 record: Q-finals
How they qualified: Group J winners
Group C fixtures: v IR Iran (Jan 7), v Lebanon (Jan 10), v Uzbekistan (Jan 13)
Fun fact: Korea Republic were - at the very least - semi-finalists in the first four editions of the tournament.
Previous appearances: 6
Best finish: Champions (2020)
2024 record: Q-finals
How they qualified: Group J winners
Group C fixtures: v IR Iran (Jan 7), v Lebanon (Jan 10), v Uzbekistan (Jan 13)
Fun fact: Korea Republic were - at the very least - semi-finalists in the first four editions of the tournament.
#AFCU23 | Q-Final : Korea Republic 2 - 2 (PSO 10 - 11) Indonesia
The early exit two years ago meant missing out on the 2024 Paris Olympics – having featured in every edition of the Games since 1988.
The East Asian side will be confident of their chances at Saudi Arabia 2026 following their impressive showing in the Qualifiers. They topped Group J with a perfect record – defeating Laos (7-0), Macau (5-0) and Indonesia (1-0).
The East Asian side will be confident of their chances at Saudi Arabia 2026 following their impressive showing in the Qualifiers. They topped Group J with a perfect record – defeating Laos (7-0), Macau (5-0) and Indonesia (1-0).
#AFCU23 - Final: Korea Republic 1-0 Saudi Arabia (AET)
In hoping to replicate their 2020-winning squad who lifted the trophy with a flawless campaign, Lee Min-sung’s men will bank on striker Cho Sang-hyeok (pictured below) of FC Pohang Steelers, who struck a hat-trick in their win over Laos.
They can also count on goals from Jeong Jae-sang and Park Seung-ho, who both scored twice as well as FC Seoul’s Hwang Do-yoon, who was among the goalscorers against Laos and fired the matchwinner against Indonesia.
They can also count on goals from Jeong Jae-sang and Park Seung-ho, who both scored twice as well as FC Seoul’s Hwang Do-yoon, who was among the goalscorers against Laos and fired the matchwinner against Indonesia.
Korea Republic will first take to the pitch against Islamic Republic of Iran before meeting debutants Lebanon and then go head-to-head with 2018 champions Uzbekistan in a much-awaited showdown.
