Men’s U-17 national team opened their Asian Cup campaign with a flying start.

Captain Kim Myeongjun scored a hat-trick of goals to fire Byun Sunghwan’s charges to a winning start to the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup, as Korea Republic cruised to a 6-1 win over Qatar in Pathum Thani, Thailand on Friday. The Taegeuk Warriors will take on Afghanistan in their second match of Group B on Monday.

Aiming to end their title drought since 2002, Korea Republic have been pitted against Qatar, Afghanistan and Iran in the group stage of the continental finals: 16 participating teams were drawn into four groups of four teams, with the winners and the runners-up from each group advancing to the knockout phase. Four tickets are at stake in these finals for the Asian teams to reach the finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November.

Having taken the reins in January last year, Byun led his side to the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup finals after a 3-2 defeat by Uzbekistan and a 10-0 win over Brunei in the qualifying round in October. His side went on to win the four-nation tournament in Croatia in February, as the coach has successfully instilled his own attacking football to the side.

Byun opted for a 4-3-3 formation against Qatar: Hong Sungmin stood between the posts; Seo Jeonghyeok, You Minjun, Kang Minwoo and Lee Suro at the back; Lim Hyunsub in defensive midfield behind central midfielders Jin Taeho and Back Inwoo; central forward Kim Myeongjun flanked by Yang Minhyeok and Yoon Doyoung.

Korea Republic surged forward from the outset and took a seemingly unassailable lead in the first half. Kim Myeongjun’s 12th minute opener from the spot was cancelled out by Qatar three minutes later, before Back Inwoo and Yoon Doyoung put their side ahead 3-1.

Captain Kim Myeongjun scored a brace and Back Inwoo added another after the interval. Byun then reshuffled his side to rest his key players, as his side breezed past Qatar to a 6-1 victory.

2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup

Group B

Goals: Kim Myeongjun 12’(pen), 46’, 60’, Back Inwoo 20’, 55’, Yoon Doyoung 31’; Nasser Babiker 15’

KOR: Hong Sungmin, Seo Jeonghyeok, You Minjun, Kang Minwoo, Lee Suro (Lee Changwoo 46’), Lim Hyunsub (Kim Seongju 46’), Jin Taeho, Back Inwoo, Yang Minhyeok (Park Seungsoo 59’), Yoon Doyoung (Kim Hyunmin 69’), Kim Myeongjun (Lee Jaehwan 63’)