South Korea's U23 coach admits finishing weakness ahead of match against Vietnam.
Coach Lee Min-sung frankly pointed out the lack of sharpness in the finishing of the South Korean U23 team after their defeat against Japan and expressed his determination to win against the Vietnamese U23 team.
The South Korean U23 team is focusing all its efforts on preparing for the third-place match against Vietnam U23 at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship on January 23rd. After a heartbreaking defeat against their arch-rivals Japan in the semi-finals, coach Lee Min-sung's team aims for a convincing victory to conclude their continental journey and regain the trust of South Korean fans.
The problem of finishing and composure in the penalty area.
The narrow 0-1 defeat against Japan U23 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium clearly exposed the persistent problems in South Korea U23's playing style. Despite possessing impressive ball control and constantly creating dangerous situations in front of the opponent's goal, the young South Korean strikers proved ineffective in their final touches. Kaito Koizumi's only goal for Japan was a major blow to their championship ambitions.
Looking at this defeat objectively, coach Lee Min-sung didn't try to blame luck. Instead, he directly pointed out the lack of sharpness from his players in the penalty area. According to him, the core problem wasn't that the opposing goalkeeper was too good, but rather the mentality and finishing technique of the South Korean players themselves.
"We didn't handle crucial situations well. Decisiveness is the fine line between a goal and a missed opportunity. This is something we absolutely must improve immediately if we want to get a good result against Vietnam," the head coach emphasized during a media interview.
Analysis of tactics and lessons from the semi-final match.
From an in-depth analysis, the South Korean U23 team had a less than ideal start in the first half of the semi-final. Their defense left many gaps, especially in set-piece situations. Although personnel and tactical adjustments after the break helped the team control the game better, a lack of composure in the final passing sequences rendered all their efforts meaningless.
The lack of a true "number 9" with the ability to choose the right position and finish effectively with one touch is a major headache for the coaching staff. Statistics show that, despite launching a superior number of shots compared to Japan, the South Korean U23 team's accuracy rate was significantly lower. This reflects the impatience and psychological pressure that the young players are currently under.
Determination for revenge and goals at the ASIAD
The third-place match against Vietnam U23 is not just a formality. For coach Lee Min-sung, it's a crucial test of his players' ability to overcome adversity. A victory against their Southeast Asian rivals would be a vital morale boost to help the team regroup and prepare for the more ambitious goal of the upcoming Asian Games (ASIAD).
Coach Lee demanded a complete shift in the players' mindset. Concentration had to be maintained from the opening whistle to the final minutes. He expected his players to present a completely different image: more decisive, more composed, and more effective in front of the opponent's goal.
“We want to finish the tournament in the most positive way possible. The whole team needs to make the most of every small opportunity. The match against Vietnam U23 will be a confirmation of the character of South Korea U23,” Lee concluded with a powerful message to the players ahead of the crucial match.
