Former Korea international Koo Ja-cheol is set to cross paths with Honda Keisuke for the first time in 14 years, revisiting the rivalry that followed the 2011 clash in Sapporo―dubbed the “Sapporo Disaster” by Korean fans after a 0-3 loss to Japan.
A special episode of SBS’s "Goalden Boys" airs Wednesday, Dec. 3, bringing icons from both countries back onto the pitch. The format is a 5-on-5 mini match played over four 15-minute quarters, putting a premium on quick passing and split-second decision-making in tight spaces.
Korea rolls out a star-studded lineup featuring Lee Young-pyo, Seol Ki-hyeon, Lee Dong-gook, Lee Keun-ho, Park Joo-ho, Koo Ja-cheol, and goalkeeper Kim Young-kwang.
Japan counters with a roster built for rivalry drama. Headlining is Honda Keisuke, the architect of Japan’s 3-0 win in Sapporo in 2011, alongside Kakitani Yoichiro, who netted a brace against Korea at the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup. They’re joined by Maezono Masakiyo, Jo Shoji, all-time top-scoring Japan defender Nakazawa Yuji, J.League Golden Boot winner Sato Hisato, and record appearance-making goalkeeper Minami Yuta.
On commentary, Park Ji-sung and Nakata Hidetoshi frame the moment. “Our guys know exactly what Korea vs. Japan means―we’re not going out there to lose,” Park says, while Nakata adds, “In this rivalry, you have to show something beyond your limits.”
From kickoff, both sides trade rapid transitions and audacious long-range efforts as the crowd cranks up the intensity. “It feels like the old Korea-Japan battles,” Nakata notes from the booth. Koo’s competitive fire burns hot: “Against Japan, I don’t want to lose at anything―not even rock-paper-scissors,” he says.
The tension spikes when Honda steps on. Back in 2011, Koo famously called Honda the opponent he disliked most; now, the two lock in step again, shadowing each other and stoking a game-long chess match. Park observes, “With Honda on, everyone’s moving faster across the board.”
The legends deliver highlight-reel moments: Lee Young-pyo’s signature stepovers, Seol Ki-hyeon’s trademark cutbacks, a fearless bicycle kick from Lee Keun-ho, Honda’s knuckleball strike, and Kakitani slicing through defenders―blink-and-you-miss-it sequences from start to finish.
Who takes the bragging rights this time? The answer unfolds tonight (Dec. 3) at 10:20 p.m. KST on SBS’s "Goalden Boys".
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)