Japan’s slide to third place in their group at the Confederation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Under-20 World Cup has been a boon for South Korea’s Kim Eun-Joong-ho, who has booked an early place in the round of 16.
Japan came from behind to defeat Israel 1-2 in their third Group C match of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup at the Mendoza Stadium in Argentina on Monday (28 June). With a record of 1-2-2 (3 points), Japan slipped to third place in the group.
Japan took the lead in first-half stoppage time through Isa Sakamoto. In the 21st minute of the second half, they had a numerical advantage when Israeli substitute Binyamin was sent off for accumulated cautions. However, they were unable to capitalise on the Israeli counter-attack. They conceded a 31st-minute equaliser to Aaron Loinavi and then a ‘theatre goal’ to Omer Senior in stoppage time.
With the result, South Korea, who have one win and one draw in Group F (4 points), will face Gambia (2 wins and 6 points) at 6 a.m. on the 29th to qualify for the round of 16 regardless of the outcome of the third match. Even if the Gambia lose and drop to third place in the group, they will still be among the “top four teams in the group.토토사이트
At the U-20 World Cup, the top four teams from each of the top three places, in addition to the 12 first- and second-placed teams in each of Groups A to F, qualify for the round of 16.
So far, the top three teams in the group are Slovakia in Group B and Japan in Group C, both with three points. They are one point behind South Korea, who play their final group game. South Korea head into the Gambia with at least a top-four finish among the top three teams in the group.
South Korea have now reached the round of 16 three times in a row, starting with the 2017 tournament on home soil (round of 16), followed by 2019 Poland runners-up Shinhwa and now Argentina. It’s time to take a more relaxed approach to the Gambia and aim higher.
Israel, meanwhile, progressed to the round of 16 with a win, a draw and a loss (4 points) over Japan to move into second place in Group C.