Koreans settle at runner up spot after dramatic 2-3 final loss

Korea’s Kim Seung-jun fights for a header during the 2016 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Championship Final against Japan at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Saturday. / Yonhap

By John Duerden

It was a game worthy of a final but unfortunately for South Korea, its heroes lost 3-2 to Japan with the Asian under-23 title at stake and had to settle for runner-up spot.

Despite taking a two goal lead in the game, Korea's young players were unable to stop their rivals' dramatic comeback and then had to watch as Japan lifted the trophy and started their celebrations.

Taeguk Warriors had the game under control and the trophy looked to be heading to Seoul but in football, destiny can change in a moment.

One of the stars of the tournament Kwon Chang-hoon had put Shin Tae-yong's men ahead midway through the first half with his fifth goal in Qatar, impressive as the midfielder arrived in the Middle East with a knee injury. When Jin Seong-uk added a second early in the second half then Korea was cruising. But then Japan coach Makoto Teguramori introduced Takuma Asano as substitute and the game changed.

The young forward scored just seven minutes later and almost immediately, Shinya Yajima headed Japan's equalizer. With nine minutes remaining, Asano got his second and the Samurai Blue's third and a famous comeback was complete.

It was a cruel blow for South Korea but there are reasons to be cheerful. The team already had what it wanted ― a place at the 2016 Rio Olympics. That was the real prize on offer in Qatar even if the trophy would have been very nice. It was also a learning process for a team on how to be a little more ruthless when in control of game.

And then there is the fact that these youngsters had a very good tournament. Most of them head home with their reputations enhanced and a few of them, such as Kwon, are on the radar of European clubs. The Suwon star could be leaving Suwon very soon.

Coach Shin got it exactly right after the game. “Our team and our players did very well throughout the competition,” said Shin. “We didn’t show any boring football. We kept playing a passing game and they showed their great performance in the competition. Our team has done well in this competition and even though we have lost tonight we have achieved our goal because we got the ticket to Brazil.”

Shin, who led Seongnam FC to the 2010 Asian Champions League title, has established himself as one of the continent's best coaches. Now his job is to improve the team ahead of the Rio Olympics. Korea won bronze in 2012, earning exemption from military duty for the players.

“We need to upgrade the team and our technique, and situations like today must be avoided during a competition like the Olympics. The stability of the defense will be the foremost issue. Our team is very good at attacking, but we lost concentration. And our team might face this kind of result because of that. We learned that tonight and throughout this tournament. It’s been a good experience for me and my players as well.”

If that experience is put to good use then a very good tournament will be extremely valuable. Despite the loss to Japan, Korea can leave Qatar very pleased with its efforts and optimistic about the future.