AFC U23 Asian Cup
Traditional rivals, the sides have met three times previously in the competition - most notably the 2016 final where Korea Republic led 2-0 before Japan came back to win 3-2.
Sato has been the standout player for Japan, with the FC Tokyo midfielder among the top creators in the tournament with 10 chances.
“We are very excited to advance to this stage,” said the 19-year-old Sato. “All the players are very motivated and each of us have prepared really well for the next test, which we must pass to reach the final.
“Scoring goals is my preference but my strength is that I can do both. I like to play and get involved in goals but ultimately, the most important thing is to play for the team.”
“We are very excited to advance to this stage,” said the 19-year-old Sato. “All the players are very motivated and each of us have prepared really well for the next test, which we must pass to reach the final.
“Scoring goals is my preference but my strength is that I can do both. I like to play and get involved in goals but ultimately, the most important thing is to play for the team.”
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Playing in the advanced attacking midfielder position, a direct battle Sato is likely to face is against centre-back Lee, a key performer in Korea Republic’s journey to the semi-finals.
“Whenever we play against Japan, there’s a saying that we can’t even lose rock, paper, scissors to them, so we will do our best,” said Lee, who scored in the group stage against Lebanon and set up Baek Ga-on to score the sensational opener against Australia in the quarter-finals."
“Whenever we play against Japan, there’s a saying that we can’t even lose rock, paper, scissors to them, so we will do our best,” said Lee, who scored in the group stage against Lebanon and set up Baek Ga-on to score the sensational opener against Australia in the quarter-finals."
“The Japan team is technically very good and skillful. We need to play as a team, together. If we do that, we can score two, three goals.
“We showed our confidence level in the quarter-finals, something we were not able to do in the group stage.This will help us against Japan.”
“We showed our confidence level in the quarter-finals, something we were not able to do in the group stage.This will help us against Japan.”
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