Men’s U-17 national team have secured their place in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup quarter-finals with a comprehensive victory over Afghanistan. 

Byun Sunghwan’s side defeated Afghanistan 4-0 in their second match of Group B staged in Pathum Thani, Thailand on Monday, with Lim Hyunsub, Yang Minhyuk and Yoon Doyoung on target.

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.

Korea Republic’s place in the last eight was confirmed after the group’s other fixture, as Iran and Qatar fought out a goalless draw later in the evening. The Taegeuk Warriors are set to take on Iran on Thursday in the final group stage game that will decide the winner of Group B. 

Byun stuck with the same 4-3-3 formation that he had deployed against Qatar: Kim Myeongjun started as a lone striker flanked by Yang Minhyuk and Yoon Doyoung; Kim Seongju and Back Inwoo in central midfield; Lim Hyunsub in defensive midfield; Hwang Jisung, Ko Jonghyun, Kang Minwoo and Lee Changwoo at the back; with goalkeeper Hong Sungmin.

The Taegeuk Warriors picked up where they had left off in the opening game where they netted six goals against Qatar, scoring three goals in the first half to show off their formidable firepower. Lim Hyunsub opened the scoring with a header off a corner after 13 minutes, before Yang Minhyuk tried his luck from distance with an audacious effort that went in off the woodwork and the keeper.

Yang turned provider for Korea Republic’s third goal with an inviting cross from the left, which Yoon Doyoung latched on to fire home from near the far post.

 

Korea Republic kept up the momentum after the interval, with Yoon scoring his second of the afternoon nine minutes into the second half. Kim Myeongjun dribbled into the edge of the area to draw the attention of the opposition, whilst Yun lurked into empty space to receive a neat ball from Kim and make it 4-0 with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Byun chose to rest his key players after grabbing a four-goal lead, with Lee Jaehwan, Park Seungsoo and Cha Jehoon coming off the bench to replace Kim Myeongjun, Yang Minhyuk and Yoon Doyoung respectively. Korea Republic were still the dominant side after the reshuffle and they went on to claim the victory in style.

2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup

Group B

Korea Republic 4-0 Afghanistan

Goals: Lim Hyunsub 13’, Yang Minhyuk 24’, Yun Doyoung 34’, 54’

KOR: Hong Sungmin, Hwang Jisung, Ko Jonghyun, Kang Minwoo (Kim Yugeon 84’), Lee Changwoo, Lim Hyunsub, Kim Seongju, Back Inwoo (Jin Taeho 63’), Yang Minhyuk (Park Seungsoo 72’), Yoon Doyoung (Cha Jehoon 72’), Kim Myeongjun (Lee Jaehwan 71’)