Korea Republic got off to a winning start to their quest for a third straight victory in the Asian Games with a 9-0 win over Kuwait.

Hwang Sunhong’s side defeated Kuwait 9-0 in their Group E opener at Jinhua Sports Centre Stadium in Zhejiang, China on Tuesday. Jeong Wooyeong netted three goals along with a brace from Cho Youngwook, with Paik Seungho, Um Wonsang, Bak Jaeyong and An Jaejun also on target.

Thailand and Bahrain drew 1-1 in the other Group E fixture played earlier, as Korea Republic moved on top of the group with three points. Korea Republic will take on Thailand on Thursday. Top two teams from each group advance to the round of 16 along with four third-place teams with best results.

Hwang deployed Cho Youngwook and Goh Youngjun up front, supported by Jeong Wookyeong, Jung Hoyeon, Paik Seungho and Um Wonsang in midfield; Park Kyuhyun, Park Jinseob, Lee Hanbeom and Hwang Jaewon at the back; with Lee Gwangyeon between the sticks.

Having just returned from their senior national team duties, Hong Hyunseok and Seol Youngwoo stayed on the bench, with Lee Kangin set to join the side after his club Paris Saint-Germain have played the UEFA Champions League opening fixture on Wednesday.

Korea Republic got off to flying start after just three minutes, when Jeong Wooyeong exchanged a one-two with Cho Youngwook to break into the left side of the area. His half-volley from close range went in off the hand of the opposing goalkeeper. Kuwait found themselves suddenly on the back foot, as the men in red surged forward the extend their lead.

They duly did so by scoring three more goals in the first alf to kill off the contest. Cho Youngwook latched onto a loose ball from Um Wonsang’s initial effort to double the advantage. The two-goal cushion was duplicated on the stroke of half time, as Paik curled in a magnificent free-kick before Jeong rounded off a Goh Youngjun through ball to make it 4-0.

A fifth goal arrived early in the second half, with Jeong latching onto a rebound after Cho’s point-blank effort was denied by the keeper on 48 minutes. Four minutes later, Um made it 6-0 with a clinical finish.

Hwang made a triple substitution ten minutes into the second half, with fullback Choi Jun replacing Hwang Jaewon on the right flank whilst An Jaejun and Bak Jaeyong came off the bench to replace Um Wonsang and Goh Youngjun respectively. Hong Hyunseok and Seol Youngwoo were brought on to adapt to the team midway through the second half.

Korea Republic kept up the momentum in the remaining time. Cho scored his second and the seventh for Korea Republic, and then substitutes Bak Jaeyong and An Jaejun rounded off the goal fest in the closing minutes.

Asian Games Hangzhou 2022

Group E

Korea Republic 9-0 Kuwait

Goals: Jeong Wooyeong 3’, 45’, 48’, Cho Youngwook 19’, 29’, Paik Seungho 44’, Um Wonsang 52’, Bak Jaeyong 80’, An Jaejun 90’+6

KOR: Lee Gwangyeon, Park Kyuhyun, Park Jinseob, Lee Hanbeom, Hwang Jaewon (Choi Jun 55’), Jeong Wooyeong (Hong Hyunseok 68’), Jung Hoyeon, Paik Seungho (Seol Youngwoo 79’), Um Wonsang (An Jaejun 55’), Cho Youngwook, Goh Youngjun (Bak Jaeyong 55’)