South Korea Wins Historic Fourth Consecutive Asian Games Title by Defeating Japan

[Anchor]

At the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, the South Korean men's national football team defeated its arch-rival Japan to write a new chapter in history with its fourth consecutive tournament victory. Wildcard player Um Ji-sung scored the winning goal, leading the team to a thrilling 1-0 victory.

For our first news today (October 3), reporter Lee Jeong-Chan has the details.

[Reporter]

With the 45,000-seat Toyota Stadium packed to capacity, South Korea faced off in a fierce battle against its arch-rival Japan, whom they met in the final for the third consecutive time.

In the 6th minute of the first half, Um Ji-sung intercepted the opponent's ball, drove forward, and fired the match's first shot with his right foot. Japan responded three minutes later with a dangerous header from a corner kick.

Both teams approached the match cautiously, ending the first half scoreless. When Japan increased its attacking tempo in the early second half and created a series of threatening moments, manager Lee Min-sung responded by substituting Hwang Do-yoon for captain Lee Gi-hyuk, who was not in peak physical condition.

Four minutes later, in the 16th minute of the second half, the solver Um Ji-sung rose to the occasion.

Yang Min-hyuk managed to send a cross from the right flank, which Um Ji-sung controlled, cut inside with a touch, and finished with his left foot to finally open the scoring.

This marks Um Ji-sung's fourth goal of the tournament, coming after he was selected as a wildcard.

Japan, which fielded an under-21 squad in preparation for the Los Angeles Olympics, mounted a counterattack relying on its trademark teamwork, but our players met them with fierce determination. South Korea also had a stroke of luck when Ishii's right-footed shot hit the goalpost and went out.

Holding out without conceding a goal until the end to protect Um Ji-sung's winning goal, the players collapsed together on the pitch in joy as the final whistle blew, confirming the 1-0 victory.

With this triumph, South Korean football has achieved an unprecedented feat by winning four consecutive men's Asian Games titles, providing a stepping stone to rebound from the gloomy atmosphere following the team's exit in the round of 32 at the North and Central America World Cup.

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