Tashkent, March 12 (Xinhua) -- In the quarterfinals of the 2023 Uzbekistan U20 Men's Asian Cup on the 12th, the Chinese team lost 1:3 to South Korea in overtime, missing the final four of this tournament, thus missing the 2023 Indonesia U20 World Cup.
On March 12, the Chinese team's starters took a group photo before the game. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Che Zhouyong)
In this game, the two main players of the Chinese team, Bai Lamu and Chen Zhexuan, were suspended due to the cumulative yellow card, Mu Talipu and Bao Shengxin took the place of starters, and the Chinese team continued to implement the tactical idea of defensive counterattack. From the very beginning of the match, the physical confrontation between the two teams was very fierce, and the players on both sides frequently fell to the ground in the scramble. South Korea had a chance to score in the 39th minute when Cheng Jinrong's push in front of goal was saved by Chinese goalkeeper Li Hao Shenyong.
Chinese players Hu Hetao (center) and Mutalif Iminkari (right) during a match on March 12. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Che Zhouyong)
Yibian fought again, and in the 48th minute, the Chinese team completed a steal in front, and Mu Talipu broke through on the right and scored from a small angle to win the Chinese team. Unfortunately, China's lead could not be maintained for long, Yang Minjie was fouled for handball while defending in the box, and Kim Yonghak scored a penalty in the 62nd minute to equalize for South Korea. South Korea then launched a fierce attack on the Chinese goal, and China dragged the game into overtime with its tenacious defense.
On March 12, Chinese player Zhang Yixuan (top left, second from left) competed for the top spot in the game. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Che Zhouyong)
Entering the decisive moment, the Chinese team was physically anxious in the high-intensity scramble, many players suffered cramps, and the defensive intensity declined. In the 100th minute, South Korea's high ball from the right into the penalty area, Sung Jin-young won the ball in the penalty area and scored, and the South Korean team overtook the score. Just five minutes later, Choi Seok-hyun scored with a header and South Korea extended the score to 3-1. Trailing by two goals, China tried to launch a counterattack but failed to score, and China eventually stopped in the quarterfinals.