Korea Republic defeated Thailand to reach the round of 16 as group winners at the Asian Games.

Hwang Sunhong’s charges beat Thailand 4-0 in their second Group E match at Jinhua Sports Centre Stadium in Zhejiang, China on Thursday, with Hong Hyunseok, An Jaejun, Um Wonsang and Lee Jaeik on target.

In the other Group E game staged earlier in the afternoon, Bahrain and Kuwait shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw – the result meant that Korea Republic secured the first place with six points with a game in hand. The Teageuk Warriors will face the runners-up from Group F that contains Indonesia, Chinese Taipei, Korea DPR and Kyrgyzstan.

Hwang deployed Bak Jaeyong as a lone striker supported by An Jaejun, Goh Youngjun and Um Wonsang. Hong Hyunseok and Paik Seungho started as defensive midfielders; Seol Youngwoo, Lee Jaeik, Park Jinseob and Hwang Jaewon at the back; and Lee Gwangyeon between the posts. Lee Kangin arrived in Hangzhou to join the squad on Thursday afternoon and watched the game from the stands.

Korea Republic got off to a flying start to grab a two-goal lead inside first 20 minutes. Goh Youngjun’s cross from the left was converted with a glancing header by Hong Hyunseok on 15 minutes, and five minutes later Paik Seungho found Hwang Jaewon lurking into the right side of the area. Bak Jaeyong arrived just in time to cut the ball back into the path of an onrushing An Jaejun, who made no mistake from close range to double the advantage.

The men in red kept up the pressure and extended their lead with two more goals. On 39 minutes, Goh Youngjun put Um Wonsang through on goal to score from an acute angle. Hong Hyunseok’s free-kick was only half-cleared by the defenders, and Lee Jaeik latched onto the loose ball to find the back of the net.

With his side grabbing a seemingly unassailable lead, Hwang reshuffled the squad to rest some of the key players. Jeong Wooyeong came off the bench to replace Um Wonsang after the interval, before Park Jinseob and Paik Seungho were replaced by Kim Taehyun and Jung Hoyeon respectively. Cho Youngwook then came off the bench to reinforce the attack on 76 minutes.

Korea Republic piled the pressure on their opponents to create scoring chances. Hong Hyunseok’s inviting cross from the right fell into the path of Bak Jaeyong, whose point-blank header was parried away by the keeper. Cho Youngwook intercepted the ball to break into the area, only to drag his effort just wide of the right post.

Asian Games Hangzhou 2022

Group E

Korea Republic 4-0 Thailand

Goals: Hong Hyunseok 15’, An Jaejun 20’, Um Wonsang 39’, Lee Jaeik 45’+1

KOR: Lee Gwangyeon, Seol Youngwoo (Park Kyuhyun 85’), Lee Jaeik, Park Jinseob (Kim Taehyun 55’), Hwang Jaewon, Hong Hyunseok, Paik Seungho (Jung Hoyeon 55’), An Jaejun, Goh Youngjun (Cho Youngwook 76’), Um Wonsang (Jeong Wooyeong 46’), Bak Jaeyong