Shrugging Off Chinese Crowd's Jeos, Team Korea Secures Comeback Win with Consecutive Headers

[Anchor]

The men's national football team, aiming for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Asian Games title, has advanced to the final by defeating China. They secured a thrilling come-from-behind victory, powered by consecutive goals from Europe-based players Lee Young-jun and Bae Jun-ho.

For our first report, we go live to the scene with reporter Hong Seok-jun.

[Reporter]

The national team, primarily composed of players under the age of 23, suffered an early blow in the 22nd minute of the first half against China, a team they had lost to in their last two age-group matchups.

During a counterattack, Wang Yudong penetrated the backline to receive a lobbed pass, turning China's first shot into a goal. He then performed a provocative celebration mimicking a popular K-pop group dance.

Cornered, the national team launched a fierce counterattack and managed to level the score in the 33rd minute of the first half.

Um Ji-sung delivered a corner kick, and Lee Young-jun leaped high to connect with a header. The ball brushed the opposing goalkeeper's hand and swept into the back of the net for the equalizer.

Lee Young-jun, who scored multiple goals in the previous quarterfinal match, netted his third goal of the tournament and responded to the Chinese crowd's jeos with a gesture.

Afterward, as the team struggled to break through the opponent's defense, they breathed a sigh of relief in the 34th minute of the second half when a clearance by defender Kim Ji-soo narrowly missed the side of the goal.

Amidst the frustrating momentum, Europe-based players stepped up as saviors once again.

In the 37th minute of the second half, Um Ji-sung sent in a sharp cross, and Bae Jun-ho soared into the air to shake the net with his head.

Bae Jun-ho, who had been struggling without an attacking point in this tournament, celebrated his first goal of the event with a priceless game-winning comeback goal.

Securing a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory to reach the final, the national team is now just one win away from achieving an unprecedented fourth consecutive championship.

[Bae Jun-ho / Asian Games Men's National Football Team Member: (After scoring the comeback goal) I was really happy, but I think I also felt a deep sense of relief. Now, we need to put all other excuses aside and charge forward with only the championship in mind.]

Having cleared a major hurdle, the national team will play the grand final in three days against the winner of the ongoing Uzbekistan-Japan match.

(Camera: Yang Du-won | Video Editing: Lee Hong-myeong)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.