Hangzhou, China, October 3, 2023: Japan will take on the Republic of Korea in the final of the men’s football at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou on Saturday in a repeat of the 2018 gold medal match.
Go Oiwa’s Japanese side handed Hong Kong, China a 4-0 thrashing while the Republic of Korea, led by former international striker Hwang Sun-hong, secured a 2-1 win over an Uzbekistan team forced to play the final 16 minutes with 10 men.
"This match was a tough one but luckily we made it and progressed to the final,” Oiwa said. “I am very happy about that.
“We will focus on the problems that we encountered in tonight's game and try our best to solve them and get fully prepared for the final. We will try our best to win the gold medal.”
Jorn Andersen’s Hong Kong team had been a surprise qualifier for the semi-finals following their unexpected 1-0 win over the Islamic Republic of Iran but Hong Kong were unable to notch up a second shock win as the Japanese progressed.
Shun Ayukawa slotted through goalkeeper Tse Ka Wing’s legs to put Japan in front in the 24th minute and Shota Hino doubled the lead 10 minutes into the second half after Tse had saved Kohshiro Sumi’s initial goal-bound shot.
A mistake in possession in his own half saw Christian Jojo dispossessed by Yota Komi and the Japanese midfielder drove forward to add the third in the 74th minute while Hino completed the rout four minutes from time when he curled his shot home.
In the day’s second game, Jeong Woo-young was the hero as he scored both goals against an Uzbekistan side that had seen off Saudi Arabia to advance to the medal rounds for the first time since winning gold on their Asian Games debut in Hiroshima in 1994.
Timur Kapadze’s team made a poor start, however, with the Republic of Korea going in front in the fifth minute when Jeong scored a poacher’s goal from close range after Um Won-sang squared his pass across the six yard box.
Uzbekistan levelled 20 minutes later as Jasurbek Jaloliddinov’s free kick from distance took enough of a deflection to wrong-foot goalkeeper Lee Gwang-yeon but Jeong restored his side’s lead seven minutes before the break.
The VfB Stuttgart forward captialised on hesitation in the Uzbekistan defence after Paik Seung-ho cushioned his header into the penalty area, with Jeong swooping to score.
Abdurauf Buriev was sent off for a second bookable offence when he fouled Choi Young-wook, leaving Uzbekistan with an insurmountable task. Kapadze’s team will now take on Hong Kong, China in the battle for bronze.
