Men’s U-17 national team have reached the finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November.

Byun Sunghwan’s charges defeated hosts Thailand 4-1 in the quarter-finals of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup on Sunday. The Taegeuk Warriors grabbed one of the four tickets allocated to Asian teams for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, where they will participate in their second world finals in succession. FIFA had selected Indonesia as the hosts for the tournament proper in a Council meeting on Friday.

Korea Republic will face the winners of another quarter-final tie between Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan in the last four on Thursday. And if they emerge victorious in the semi-finals, they will be looking to win the U-17 Asian Cup for the first time in 21 years. Having won the continental title twice – in 1986 and 2002 – Korea Republic reached the last four most recently in the 2018 edition. They went on to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup the following year, with the likes of Um Jisung, Jung Sangbin and Lee Taeseok featuring prominently for their country.

Byun deployed the best members of his team at his disposal: Kim Myungjun, who had scored a hat-trick against Qatar in the opening match, started up front; Yang Minhyeok, Jin Taeho, Back Inwoo and Yoon Doyong in central midfield, with Lim Hyunsub in defensive midfield; Hwang Jisung, Ko Jonghyun, Kang Minwoo and Lee Changwoo at the back; and Hong Sungmin between the posts.

Korea Republic dominated the game after opening exchanges and duly took the lead through a set-piece after four minutes, as centre-back Kang Minwoo rose highest to head home from a Back Inwoo free-kick. The men in red geared up to pile the pressure, causing all sorts of problems for the Thai defence.

However, their lead did not last long as the host fought back to equalise against the run of play, with Dutsadee Buranajutanon rounding off a quick counter with a delicate toe-kick on 12 minutes. The host kept up the momentum midway through the first half, as Chanothai Kongmeng sent a point-blank effort just over the crossbar following a corner.

But Korea Republic managed to regroup and took the lead again through another set-piece. This time, however, it was Yoon Doyong who provided the assist with his left foot, before Kim Myungjun latched onto the free-kick to put his side ahead. Hwang Jisung’s free-kick was denied by the goalkeeper on the stoke of half time.

With his side grabbing a 2-1 lead before the interval, Byun brought on Kim Hyunmin on for Yang Minhyeok who had received a yellow card in the opening period. Yoon led the attack with his flamboyant skills, firing an audacious effort after a quick one-two with his teammate on 62 minutes.

Korea Republic doubled their advantage seven minutes later, when Yoon latched onto a rebound after Back Inwoo’s initial effort from the left side was blocked by a Thai defender.

Substitute Kim Hyunmin put the result beyond doubt on 84 minutes, as he celebrated his magnificent curler with the Control Tower Dance. Byun rested his key players in the closing minutes as Korea Republic held on for the win.

2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup

Quarter-finals

Thailand 1-4 Korea Republic

Goals: Kang Minwoo 4’, Dutsadee Buranajutanon 16’, Kim Myungjun 36’, Yoon Doyong 69’, Kim Hyunmin 84’

KOR: Hong Sungmin, Hwang Jisung, Ko Jonghyun, Kang Minwoo, Lee Changwoo (Seo Jeonghyeok 77’), Lim Hyunsub, Yang Minhyeok (Kim Hyunmin 46’), Jin Taeho (Park Hyunmin 90’+2), Back Inwoo, Yoon Doyong (Park Seungsoo 90’), Kim Myungjun (Lee Jaehwan 90’)