Who will win the 2020 AFC U23 Championship?
(Baonghean.vn) - After 7 years, the Saudi Arabia U23 team once again has the opportunity to reach the top of Asia. Their opponent in this final match is the South Korea U23 team, who are currently in very high form.
It seems that the U23 Uzbekistan players' peak form was evident in their emphatic 5-1 victory over U23 UAE. Therefore, in the semi-final against U23 Saudi Arabia, although U23 Uzbekistan played evenly with their opponents, their attacking players were unable to get the ball past goalkeeper Al Yami, even when the ball was only 3-4 meters from the goal.
Uzbekistan U23 team dethroned as champions.
The U23 champions Uzbekistan played in a 4-4-1-1 formation with striker Abdixolikov playing as the furthest forward, supported by O. Bozorov in attack. While Ljubinko Drulović opted for a possession-based style to build attacks, Saudi Arabia played a more defensive game, dropping deep before launching quick counter-attacks. The West Asian representatives played in a 4-2-3-1 formation, concentrating players in the midfield, with only Al-Hamdan positioned upfront.
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| This is the second time in history that the Saudi Arabia U23 team has reached the final of this tournament. (Photo: AFC) |
Abdullah Al-Hamdan became the hero for the Saudi Arabia U23 team with the only goal of the match in the 87th minute. His shot from 20 meters deflected off a teammate and into the net, much to the astonishment of the Uzbekistan U23 team. This marks the second time in history that the Saudi Arabia U23 team has reached the final of this tournament. Seven years ago, they reached the final but lost 0-1 to Iraq U23.
Absolute power
Meanwhile, in the second semi-final, the South Korean U23 team showed they lived up to the expectations of the South Korean audience. From the start of the match, coach Kim Hak-bum instructed his players to create a dominant game against the Australian U23 team with a relentless, wave-like attacking style.
With excellent physical fitness, the South Korean U23 team deployed diverse attacking strategies. The South Korean players attacked down the flanks while also combining this with direct runs through the center. With perfect technique, the forwards of the East Asian team were all capable of threatening goalkeeper Glover's goal.
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| "The Taeguk Warriors" extended their winning streak in this year's tournament to five matches and are just one game away from winning the championship. Photo: AFC |
Meanwhile, throughout the entire match, the Australian U23 team only managed six shots, none of which were on target. Under constant attack, the Australian players retreated into a deep defensive formation, but they only held out until the 56th minute. Right-back You-hyeon advanced and unexpectedly unleashed a shot that hit the post. On the third attempt to hit the post, two players in red shirts went in, and finally Kim Dae-won tapped the ball in from close range to give South Korea U23 the lead.
With their class and experience, the South Korean U23 team proactively slowed down the pace of the game, forcing their opponents to push forward to win back possession. Coach Kim Hak-bum brought on strategic player Lee Dong-gyeong to play a counter-attacking game. Shortly after coming on, the number 10 player scored with a clean control and finish that gave Glover no chance to save.
The demeanor of a champion.
The semi-final match concluded with a convincing 2-0 victory for Coach Kim Hak-bum's team. The South Korean U23 players secured their ticket to the 2020 Olympics and also have the opportunity to win their first-ever Asian Championship title. They possess balanced strength across all three lines, along with the physical prowess of seasoned football warriors.
The journey of coach Kim Hak-bum's team from the group stage, quarter-finals, and semi-finals has shaped the portrait of a champion of this year's U23 Asian Championship. U23 South Korea didn't have spectacular wins; they knew how to neutralize their opponents, gradually encircling them from afar, and then finding moments to defeat them. "The Taeguk Warriors" extended their winning streak in this year's tournament to five matches and are just one game away from the championship trophy.