[ASIAN GAMES] S. Korea reach men's football final

NAGOYA, Japan — Korea secured their place in the men's football gold medal match at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Wednesday after defeating China 2-1. Lee Young-jun and Bae Jun-ho each netted a goal for the under-23 Korean national team during the semifinals at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, roughly 140 kilometers west of Nagoya, the main host city.

This victory put Korea just one win away from their fourth consecutive gold medal. On Saturday, Korea will face either Japan or Uzbekistan in the gold medal match, with the latter two teams set to clash in the semifinals, also in Osaka, later Wednesday. The final is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Toyota Stadium in Toyota, located about 50 kilometers east of Nagoya.

Wang Yudong put China ahead in the 22nd minute after evading several Korean defensive set-pieces. As China's Mao Weijie delivered a pass to the box from midfield, he slipped between the tired Korean defense and volleyed the ball off his chest with his left foot, scoring the opening goal. Lee leveled the score for Korea in the 33rd minute with a header, set up by Eom Ji-sung's corner. Lee, who has recently joined the national team, contributed to Korea's impressive performance.