Men’s U-17 national team fell short in the final against Japan, although they had already achieved their goal of reaching the world finals and in the process shown what they are capable of.

Byun Sunghwan’s side lost 3-0 at the hands of Japan in the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup final staged in Pathum Thani, Thailand on Sunday. The Taegeuk Warriors were looking to claim the title for a third time following their successes in 1986 and 2002, but they ultimately failed to recover from the early blow after being reduced to ten men on the stroke of half time.

Nevertheless, Korea Republic will return home with their heads held high after finishing runners up for another time since Lee Seungwoo single-handedly guided his country to a second place finish nine years ago in 2014. The Taegeuk Warriors will soon be headed for Indonesia, where the FIFA U-17 World Cup takes place in November.

Having stuck with the same starting XI in the quarter-finals against Thailand and the semi-finals against Uzbekistan, Byun made only one change to his favoured lineup with left back Seo Jeonghyeok starting in place of Hwang Jisung. Captain Kim Myeongjun started up front as a lone striker, supported by Yang Minhyeok, Jin Taeho, Back Inwoo and Yoon Doyong; Lim Hyunsub was deployed as a defensive midfielder; Seo Jeonghyeok, Ko Jonghyun, Kang Minwoo and Lee Changwoo at the back; with Hong Seongmin between the sticks.

Both sides struggled to find their feet on the rain soaked pitch due to the torrential downpour, which made it difficult to predict the trajectory of the ball. With both sides barely managing to pass the ball on the slippery ground, Korea Republic made the first attempt of note after 20 minutes. Back Inwoo dribbled through the Japanese defence against the run of play, only to drag his powerful effort straight at Goto Wataru.

Japan responded four minutes later with Michiwaki Yukata’s point-blank header that Hong did well to parry away, before the custodian denied Nawata Gaku’s shot from the right side of the area on 34 minutes.

But the luck was not on Korea Republic’s side, who were down to ten men on the stroke of half time. Referee Mongkolchai Pechsri sent off centre-back Ko Jonghyun for a second bookable offence, and Nawata stepped up to convert the resulting free-kick from the edge of the area. Byun had to reshuffle his side to deal with the numerical disadvantage, bringing defender Yoo Minjun on for forward Yang Minhyeok.

Japan surged forward to capitalise on their advantage, as Korea Republic found themselves on the back foot after the interval. Hong was forced to make a series of fine saves, as he kept his side alive against the waves of attack.

However, Korea Republic fell further behind midway through the second half, when Nawata broke into the centre of the area to score his second of the evening with a clinical finish on 66 minutes.

Korea Republic did have a golden opportunity to pull one back in the closing minutes. Kim Myeongjun lurked into the left side of the area to receive a through ball, before Goto Wataru made a reckless challenge on the striker to pull him down. However, referee Mongkolchai did not award a penalty but instead showed a yellow card to Byun who protested against the decision. The men in red did not give up until the end and went all out to reduce the deficit, but it was Japan that scored against the run of play deep into added time.

2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup Final

Korea Republic 0-3 Japan

Goals: Nawata Gaku 45’+1, 66’, Michiwaki Yutaka 90’+6

KOR: Hong Seongmin, Seo Jeonghyeok (Kim Hyunmin 75’), Ko Jonghyun, Kang Minwoo, Lee Changwoo, Jin Taeho (Park Seungsoo 61’), Lim Hyunsub (Kim Seongju 61’), Back Inwoo, Yang Minhyeok (Yoo Minjun 45’+3), Yoon Doyong (Lee Suro 75’), Kim Myeongjun