South Korea lifts gloom around soccer team with Asian Games gold
Japan was looking to win gold for the first time since 2010 and was coached by Go Oiwa, who will take over the senior national team after next year's Asian Cup.
South Korea lifted its spirits with a men's soccer gold medal at the Asian Games on Saturday. The nation had been in turmoil following a disappointing World Cup performance and several controversies. Eom Ji-sung scored the decisive goal in the 61st minute, providing the Koreans with their fourth consecutive title. The match took place at Toyota Stadium, near Nagoya, in front of 30,000 spectators.
Japan had hoped to win gold for the first time since 2010, but coach Go Oiwa, who will lead the national team after next year's Asian Cup, was unable to achieve that goal. The Asian Games were contested by Under-23 squads with three overage players. South Korean players expressed their determination to win the title, acknowledging that they only needed one chance to triumph.
The win also secured military exemptions for the team members, as South Korean males are typically required to serve 18 months in the military, with the government granting exemptions for athletes who win Asian Games and Olympic medals.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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