Lee Ki-hyuk Determined to Play in Final: "Focusing on Recovery... No Problem Playing"

South Korea under-23 men's national football team captain Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon FC), who missed the semifinals of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games due to an injury, has expressed his strong desire to play in the final against Japan.

Lee stated through the Korea Football Association on the 2nd, "There was some swelling in the injured area, but if I focus on recovery, I think there will be no major problem playing in the final."

Lee, who is tasked with anchoring the national team's midfield, missed the semifinal match against China held in Osaka on September 30 due to inflammation in his foot.

If he is unable to play in the final against Japan, scheduled to kick off at 7:30 PM on the 3rd at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, it would be a significant blow to the national team, which is aiming for its fourth consecutive gold medal.

During a press conference held at Toyota Stadium on the same day, head coach Lee Min-sung said, "We will need to accurately check Lee Ki-hyuk's physical condition until today and then decide whether or not to play him."

Lee expressed, "I felt sorry for the team for not being able to join them in the semifinals, but because the players cheered as one and played together, we achieved a good result and advanced to the final. It is meaningful and joyful."

He emphasized, "Not just me, but all the team members know how wonderful and important a gold medal is, so we are united and thinking only of winning the gold medal. If I lead by example on the pitch and show my desperation well, I believe the players will follow. We will harden our minds and prepare together."

Regarding Japan, Lee resolved, "They are such a good team, and since we met them in the final at the last Asian Games as well, they will try very hard to beat us. We must not back down, but go out strong and run hard. Bearing those feelings in mind, we will bring better teamwork, performance, and results than Japan."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.