Thrilling Comeback Win With Consecutive Headers... One Step Away From Fourth Consecutive Title

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The men's national football team, aiming for the first four-peat in Asian Games history, defeated China to advance to the final. European-based players Lee Young-jun and Bae Jun-ho scored consecutive goals to lead a thrilling comeback victory.

Reporter Hong Seok-jun is reporting from the site.

[Reporter]

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

During a counterattack, Wang Yudong penetrated the space behind the defense to receive a lobbed pass, converting China's first shot into a goal and performing a provocative celebration by dancing to a trendy K-pop group's choreography.

Cornered, the national team mounted a fierce counterattack and eventually leveled the score in the 33rd minute of the first half.

Lee Young-jun leaped high to connect with a corner kick delivered by Um Ji-sung, hitting a header that brushed the opposing goalkeeper's hand before finding 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 jeers of the Chinese crowd with a gesture.

Unable to easily break through the opponent's defense afterward, the national team 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 flow of the game, the European-based players stepped up once again as saviors.

In the 37th minute of the second half, Um Ji-sung delivered a sharp cross, and Bae Jun-ho flew up to shake the net with a header.

Bae Jun-ho, who had been anxious due to a lack of attacking points in the tournament, decorated his first tournament goal as a priceless comeback winner.

Securing a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory and advancing to the final, the national team is now just one win away from their first-ever fourth consecutive championship.

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

Having overcome a major hurdle, the national team will play the fateful final against Japan in two days.

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