The under-20 (U-20) soccer team, led by coach Kim Eun-joong, announced a new beginning of a great history by defeating’strong’ France in the first game of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
On the 23rd (Korean time),토토사이트 the U-20 national team had a save show by goalkeeper Kim Joon-hong (Sangmu Kim Cheon) and consecutive goals by captain Lee Seung-won (Gangwon FC) and Lee Yeong-jun (Gimcheon) in the first match of group F against France held at Mendoza Stadium in Argentina. Thanks to that, we got a thrilling 2-1 victory. With this, Korea won 3 points in the first leg in 6 years since the 2017 domestic competition, and is close to entering the tournament. Korea, tied for first place with Gambia, will play the second match against Honduras on the 26th.
●Winning Formula = Counterattack & Setpiece
Although Korea won the best runner-up in Poland four years ago, there was little expectation that they would defeat the 2013 champion, France. They lost 2-4 in Malaysia in 1997 and 1-3 in Colombia in 2011.
Korea thoroughly prepared. I saw that if I endure well, I have a chance of winning. France’s offensive, which increased ball possession to 57%, was amazing. But I didn’t miss the chance. The opportunity came when we blocked the midfield and blocked the dangerous area well.
In the 22nd minute of the first half, Lee Seung-won, who caught Kim Yong-hak (Portimonense)’s pass, opened the goal with a right-footed shot while watching the goalkeeper advance. In the 19th minute of the second half, the ‘win formula’ set piece worked. With Lee Seung-Won’s help, Lee Yeong-Jun drove a wedge with an exquisite header. Coach Kim was satisfied, saying, “I prepared a strategy to counterattack while strengthening the defense.”
●Super goalie who did not collapse due to poor judgment
Korea had a difficult game. Shot count 23-9, final third entry 71-28, line break 136-90, pass completion 585-263, etc. were pushed in all aspects.
It even overlapped with an ambiguous judgment. In the 25th minute of the second half, goalkeeper (GK) Kim Joon-hong (Kim Cheon) and Malamin Efekele rushed together toward France’s fast cross, but both failed to touch the ball and collided. However, the referee declared a yellow card and a penalty kick (PK) only for Kim Jun-hong, leading to a goal. Even the French media criticized it as “not right.”
but did not waver. In the 5th minute of the second half, he overcame the risk of an own goal with quick reflexes, and after conceding a PK, he threw his whole body to block the opponent’s surprise shot in the 42nd minute of the second half. Kim Joon-hong, also known as the son of Kim I-seop Incheon United GK coach, joined Jeonbuk Hyundai in 2021 and played 4 K-League 1 games for 2 years.