South Korea lift gloom with smash-and-grab Games football gold
TOYOTA CITY: South Korea won men’s football gold at the Asian Games on Saturday, beating hosts Japan 1-0 in the final to lift the gloom after a disastrous World Cup and series of damaging controversies.
In a dramatic final at Toyota Stadium, South Korea secured their fourth consecutive men's football gold at the Asian Games by defeating Japan 1-0. The decisive goal came from Eom Ji-sung of Swansea City, who scored an hour into the match with a precise left-foot shot. This victory lifted the nation's spirits after a disappointing World Cup and a series of controversies surrounding the Korean Football Association (KFA).
Japan aimed to win their first gold since 2010, but were unable to overcome Korea's strong performance. Coach Go Oiwa, who will take charge of the senior national team post-Asian Cup, had previously coached Japan's Under-21 squad. The Asian Games, featuring under-23 squads with three overage players, saw South Korea's players earn military exemptions for their participation, following in the footsteps of senior captain Son Heung-min and Atletico Madrid playmaker Lee Kang-in.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
