Korea Republic have won the Asian Games three in a row by coming from behind to defeat Japan in the final.

Hwang Sunhong’s charges claimed a 2-1 victory over Japan in the Asian Games final staged at Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China on Saturday, with Jeong Wooyeong and Cho Youngwook scoring in each half to win the gold medal.

For the first time in the history of the Asian Games, Korea Republic have won the the football tournament three times in a row. There were four back-to-back victories in the past: Chines Taipei (1954-1958), Myanmar (1966-1970), Iran (1998-2002) and then Korea Republic (2014-2018), who have claimed their sixth win to extend their lead over second-placed Iran (four times).

Jeong Wooyeong has finished as the top scorer of the competition with eight goals, following the success of Hwang Uijo who had won the golden boot with nine goals at Jakarta-Palembang 2018. Korea Republic have produced the tournament’s top scorers four times – Seo Jungwon with four goals at Beijing 1990 and Hwang Sunhong with 11 goals at Hiroshima 1994.

Korea Republic breezed past their opponents in the group stage – beating Kuwait 9-0, Thailand 4-0 and then Bahrain 3-0 – before defeating Kyrgyz Republic 5-1, China PR 2-0 and Uzbekistan 2-1 to set up a crucial encounter with archrivals Japan in the final.

Hwang made three changes to the side that had faced the Uzbeks in the semi-final, replacing injured Um Wonsang, midfielder Hong Hyunseok and fullback Seol Youngwoo with Goh Youngjun, Jung Hoyeon and Park Kyuhyun respectively.

Cho Youngwook started up front as a lone striker supported by Goh Youngjun; Jeong Wooyeong, Jung Hoyeon, Paik Seungho and Lee Kangin in midfield; Park Kyuhyun, Park Jinseob, Lee Hanbeom and Hwang Jaewon at the back; and Lee Gwangyeon between the posts.

Korea Republic were dealt an early blow for the first time in the tournament. A cross from the left fell into the path of Uchino Kotaro, who latched onto the loose ball to fire home from close range and put his side ahead after two minutes.

The Taegeuk Warriors soon regrouped and piled pressure on the Japanese to find a breakthrough, intercepting the ball in the middle of the park to prevent the opponents from playing their passing game. On 21 minutes, Goh unleashed a powerful effort after collecting the ball from the opposition as the men in red clawed their way back into it.

They finally restored parity on 27 minutes. The tournament’s leading goalscorer Jeong Wooyeong rose to occasion once again, glancing a looping header off a Hwang Jaewon cross from the right. The goal triggered a series of attack from Cho Youngwook, Lee Kangin and then Jeong as the half time approached.

Korea Republic took the lead 11 minutes into the second half, when Cho Youngwook lurked deep into the centre of the area before latching onto a loose ball after Jeong Wooyeong had received a through ball from Hwang Jaewon. Cho wrong-footed the keeper by pretending to take the shot with his left foot, and calmly converted the ball with his right to put his side ahead.

Hwang then reshuffled his side by replacing Jeong Wooyeong and Goh Youngjun with Song Minkyu and Hong Hyunseok respectively on the hour mark, before Um Wonsang and An Jaejun came off the bench to replace Lee Kangin and Cho Youngwook ten minutes later.

Trailing by a goal, Japan went all out on attack leaving only three defenders at the back. But Korea Republic kept their opponents at bay with substitutes Um Wonsang and An Jaejun firing warning shots against the run of play. The Taegeuk Warriors held on to defend their lead and claim the victory.

Asian Games Hangzhou 2022

Final

Korea Republic 2-1 Japan

Goals: Uchino Kotaro 2’, Jeong Wooyeong 27’, Cho Youngwook 56’

KOR: Lee Gwangyeon, Park Kyuhyun (Seol Youngwoo 90’+4), Park Jinseob, Lee Hanbeom, Hwang Jaewon, Jeong Wooyeong (Hong Hyunseok 61’), Jung Hoyeon, Paik Seungho, Lee Kangin (An Jaejun 72’), Cho Youngwook (Um Wonsang 72’), Goh Youngjun (Song Minkyu 61’)