Kim Eun-jong-ho’s captain, Lee Seung-won (Gangwon), had a goal and an assist to lead the South Korean Under-20 team to its first win over “powerhouse” France.
Back-to-back goals from Lee Seung-won and Lee Young-joon (Gimcheon) gave South Korea a 2-1 victory over France in their first match of Group F at the FIFA U20 World Cup 2023 at the Medosa Stadium in Medosa, Argentina on Wednesday (June 23). South Korea started the day at the top of Group F (South Korea, France, Honduras, Gambia) with three points.
South Korea played a 4-4-1-1 on the day. Lee Young-jun was up front, backed by Kang Sang-yoon (Jeonbuk). Kang Sung-jin (Seoul) and Kim Yong-hak (Portimonense) attacked on the left and right, while Lee Seung-won and Lee Chan-wook (Gyeongnam) were in the middle. The back line was composed of Bae Seo-joon (Daejeon), Kim Ji-soo (Seongnam), Choi Seok-hyun (Dankook University), and Park Chang-woo (Jeonbuk) from left to right, while Kim Jun-hong (Gimcheon) wore the goalkeeping gloves.
In the first half, as France seemed to have a high share of possession, Korea tried to counterattack from the back, and in the 22nd minute, Kim Yong-hak, who received the ball from Kang Sung-jin, overcame the competition and broke through, and Lee Seung-won, who was rushing into the box, received the pass and calmly split the left goal in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper.
France tried to cut back several times in search of an equalizer, but Korea refused to go down without a fight and added a second goal in the 19th minute off a set piece. Lee Seung-won sent in a free-kick cross from the left side, which Lee Young-joon headed into the back of the net.토토사이트
France’s first goal came on a dubious penalty kick decision. In the 25th minute of the second half, goalkeeper Kim Hong-joon was brought down by Malamine Efekele’s shoulder as he tried to clear a cross. The referee decided that Kim had committed a foul and awarded a penalty kick goal. France then went on the offensive, and eight minutes of extra time was awarded, but Korea’s steadfast defense kept the game scoreless. This is the first time South Korea has beaten France in this tournament. South Korea has two wins, three draws and four losses in the all-time series between France and the U-20 national team.
South Korea was out-shot by France, 30-57 percent, and more than doubled in shots on goal, 9-23. However, the number of shots on goal was equalized at 5-6.