Korea beats Japan to win gold medal in Asian Games football

Cho Young-wook of Korea celebrates his goal against Japan during the Asian Games men's football gold medal match at the Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, Oct. 7. Yonhap

Korea defeated Japan 2-1 to win gold at the Asian Games, Saturday, a third straight triumph in the men’s tournament. It wasn’t smooth sailing but the young Taeguk Warriors have won all seven matches in Hangzhou and the celebrations at the final whistle were heartfelt and very much deserved.

As everyone knows, this U-23 tournament in which teams are also allowed to select three players of any age, is not just about the medal but what it means. The Korean government grants all male athletes who win gold at the Asian Games ― any medal at the Olympics will do ? exemption from the 18 to 21 months of military service that they must start by the age of 28.

It means that the likes of Lee Kang-in, a talented midfielder who signed for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, does not need to cut short his European career and return home in a few years time for military service. Just look at what happened in the past with Son Heung-min and Kim Min-jae.

They won gold in 2018 and are now playing at Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich respectively. The next generation of stars in the country are now free to go wherever they want. Lee is just 22 and has a very bright future at the top levels of European football and now, he has a decade or more to look forward to, should he desire it.

That was looking uncertain after 90 seconds in China as Kotaro Uchino put Japan ahead with a shot high into the net from close range within the first 90 seconds. It was a surprise. While Korea uses the best players it possibly can as the only thing that matters is winning gold, Japan is able to treat the Asian Games as purely a developmental event, giving talented youngsters a chance to experience a competitive tournament.

Jeong Woo-yeong of Korea scores a header against Japan during the Asian Games men's football gold medal match at the Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, Oct. 7. Yonhap

Not so for Korea. The equalizing goal came just before the half-hour and it was scored by Jeong Woo-yeong, the top scorer of the tournament. The Stuttgart midfielder netted his eighth with a perfect header that flew into the top corner of the Japanese net.

The second came early in the second half. The ball fell to Cho Young-wook inside the area and he kept his cool to slot it home.

Hwang Sun-hong’s men pushed for a third, something to give them a cushion as the game entered its final stages. It didn’t come but Korea always looked the more likely to score. In the end, the extra goal was not needed.

Few would argue that Korea is not a deserved winner. The team has scored 27 goals throughout and conceded just three. While everything is done to field the best team possible, the pressure that the players are under is quite something. Now they are free to enjoy the achievement, enjoy the feeling of a gold medal around their necks and enjoy the feeling that anything can happen in the next few years.

Korean players and coaches celebrate their 2-1 win over Japan in the Asian Games men's football gold medal match at the Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, Oct. 7. Yonhap