Kim Eun-Joong earned a valuable point against Honduras to advance to the Round of 16, but was dealt a blow when two of his first team members were ruled out of the final group game due to card management issues.
Kim Eun-joong’s South Korea Under-20 football team drew 2-2 with Honduras in their second Group F match of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 at the Mendoza Stadium in Argentina on Saturday (June 26).
The draw secured at least third place in the group and a spot in the round of 16.
However, it was unfortunate that two of their main players were unable to play in the third match against Gambia due to accumulated cautions.
It was an unnecessary foul that resulted in no points and the bad news of missing the next game.
Choi Seok-hyun (Dankook University) conceded a penalty kick for a tackle that was too deep and was sent off after receiving back-to-back yellow cards in the second half.
The foul that led to his first yellow card in the 36th minute was unnecessary, especially when he used his hands in a contested aerial ball.
His second yellow card for breaking up a counterattack in stoppage time was not a bad decision, as it could have led to a goal scoring crisis.
However, having already received a yellow card earlier in the match, he was unable to avoid being sent off and South Korea lost their numerical advantage.
Goalkeeper Kim Jun-hong (Gimcheon), who was praised for his ‘save show’ in the first leg, was also shown a yellow card for stalling for time ahead of a goal kick in second-half stoppage time.
Kim had already received one yellow card in the first match against France.
As a result, Kim Jung-ho was forced to play the third match against the Gambia without his two main players, Choi Seok-hyun and Kim Jun-hong.
It’s also disappointing that they didn’t capitalize on the “good news” of Honduran David Ochoa’s early ejection in the 27th minute, when they were down 0-1.
They were unable to capitalize on their offense and conceded another goal in the sixth minute of the second half to Isaac Castillo’s curling shot.
South Korea rescued a valuable point in the second half through Kim Yong-hak’s (Portimonense) left-footed turner in the 13th minute and Park Seung-ho’s (Incheon) header from a set piece in the 17th minute, but the disappointment of squandering multiple chances to secure a comfortable win with more goals remains. 토토사이트
Kim Eun-Joong-ho’s side, who pulled off an upset to upset favorites France in the first round, are now second in the group (4-1-1) behind Gambia (6-2-1).
South Korea’s progression to the round of 16 will depend on the outcome of the final three group games on Sept. 29 at 6 a.m. South Korea will face The Gambia, who have already qualified for the round of 16.