South Korea wins men's football gold at the Asian Games

South Korea won the men’s football gold medal at the Asian Games, defeating host nation Japan 1-0 in Saturday’s final, thereby dispelling some of the gloom that followed their disastrous World Cup performance and a series of controversies that had tarnished the sport in the country.

Swansea City’s Um Ji-sung scored the match’s only goal with a powerful strike in the 60th minute, securing Korea’s fourth consecutive title in front of 30,000 spectators at Toyota Stadium near Nagoya.

Japan had been aiming for its first gold medal since 2010, with coach Ooiwa, who will take charge of the senior national team after next year’s Asian Cup, leading the side.

Asian Games football competitions feature under-23 national teams, with each squad allowed to include three overage players.

South Korea endured a dismal World Cup campaign in North America this year, exiting the group stage after a surprising loss to South Africa.

Although head coach Hong Myung-bo resigned, his departure failed to quell public anger over the disappointing performance and instead intensified existing questions about his appointment in 2024.

In August, police raided the headquarters of the Korea Football Association as part of an investigation into Hong’s appointment.

Most able-bodied South Korean men are required to serve at least 18 months of military service, but the government grants exemptions to winners of Asian Games gold medals or any Olympic medals.

South Korea’s squad included several players with European experience, and Um nearly opened the scoring early on, but his effort hit the crossbar.

Japan, fielding a team mostly composed of under-21 players active in the domestic league, suffered a blow when striker Uchiyama was carried off on a stretcher in the first half due to a knee injury.

Despite the hosts creating the more dangerous chances, Um scored the decisive goal to crown South Korea champions, even as one of Japan’s late efforts struck the post.