AFC U23 Asian Cup
It will be a meeting between familiar foes, with Japan aiming to emerge champions for a record-extending third time while Korea Republic want to add to their 2020 title.
Japan head coach Go Oiwa knows his team have to perform much better against Korea Republic, with the defending champions needing a penalty shoot-out to see off the challenge of Jordan in the quarter-finals.
“We had quite a lengthy preparation before this tournament so we’re well prepared,” said Oiwa. “Throughout the group stage we played as a team and we were able to advance smoothly."
“We had quite a lengthy preparation before this tournament so we’re well prepared,” said Oiwa. “Throughout the group stage we played as a team and we were able to advance smoothly."
“The Jordan game was a struggle because they are strong but I have seen the growth of the team as the tournament has progressed and for sure, we will show even more in the next game.
“Of course, the opponents are going to get stronger as we get further. Jordan gave us some issues which we need to rectify but defending is not just about defenders, we have to defend as a team and all need to communicate better.”
“Of course, the opponents are going to get stronger as we get further. Jordan gave us some issues which we need to rectify but defending is not just about defenders, we have to defend as a team and all need to communicate better.”
#AFCU23 Saudi Arabia 2026 | Semi-Finals Preview
Korea Republic assistant coach Lee Kyung-soo expects an attack-oriented mindset from his players, having seen Jordan attempt 10 shots against Japan - more than the combined total of their three group stage matches.
“Japan haven’t lost in the tournament and they have shown good attack as well as defence,” said Lee, who stood in for head coach Lee Ming-sun at Monday's pre-match press conference.
“Having analysed Japan, we should pressurise them because in doing so, we can maximise our strength which is our attack."
“Japan haven’t lost in the tournament and they have shown good attack as well as defence,” said Lee, who stood in for head coach Lee Ming-sun at Monday's pre-match press conference.
“Having analysed Japan, we should pressurise them because in doing so, we can maximise our strength which is our attack."
“Tactically, we need to come up with a good plan. We started with some struggles against Lebanon (in the group stage) but over the games, we have been able to get more players in the box and in the quarter-final (against Australia), we got a good outcome from doing that.
“Against Japan, we will try to focus on counter attacking and winning possession higher up the pitch so we can penetrate their defence.”
“Against Japan, we will try to focus on counter attacking and winning possession higher up the pitch so we can penetrate their defence.”
Trivia
● This is the fourth meeting between Japan and Korea Republic in AFC U23 Asian Cup history; Japan won the first two games, which were both knockout games (2016 final and 2022 quarter-finals) while Korea Republic won the most recent fixture which was a group stage game in 2024.
● No team has accumulated a lower expected goals against (xGA) value than Japan (0.98) and Korea Republic (1.6) at Saudi Arabia 2026; additionally, Japan’s 17 shots faced and Korea Republic’s 26 shots faced are the lowest and second lowest respectively by any side during this tournament.
● Only Jordan (46) forced more turnovers (winning the ball back within 40 metres of the opponents’ goal) than Japan in the ongoing tournament. Japan won back possession 21 times in the final third during the tournament, behind Jordan and Uzbekistan (22 times each).
● Shusuke Furuya and Ryunosuke Sato have both scored three goals, making it the first time that Japan have multiple players scoring 3+ goals in an edition of AFC U23 Asian Cup.
● No one has completed more passes at Saudi Arabia 2026 than the Korea Republic duo of Shin Min-ha (290) and Lee Hyun-yong (289); Hyun-Yong (331) and Min-Ha (313) are also ranked first and second respectively for the most passes attempted by any player in this edition.
Japan v Korea Republic
Venue: King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium (Jeddah)
Kick-off: Tuesday, 14:30 (UTC+3)
Venue: King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium (Jeddah)
Kick-off: Tuesday, 14:30 (UTC+3)
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