South Korea U-17 Team Advances to AFC Semifinals After Thrilling Penalty Shootout
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In a dramatic quarter-final clash at the 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup, South Korea’s U-17 national team secured a hard-fought victory against Tajikistan after a tense penalty shootout. This win propels them into the semifinals and guarantees their spot in the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup.
A Nail-Biting Quarter-Final Encounter
The South Korean U-17 squad, under the guidance of coach Baek Ki-tae, faced Tajikistan in a crucial quarter-final match of the 2025 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-17 Asian Cup, held in Saudi Arabia. After a grueling battle that ended in a 2-2 draw, the young taegeuk Warriors emerged victorious with a 5-3 win in the penalty shootout.
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing the resilience and determination of both teams. While South Korea initially took the lead, Tajikistan mounted a late comeback, forcing the game into extra time and ultimately, penalties.
Match Highlights: From Lead to Comeback and Beyond
The first half concluded without any goals, setting the stage for a thrilling second half. Jung Hyun-woong broke the deadlock in the 67th minute, capitalizing on a precise cross from Kim Ji-sung to give South Korea the advantage.
South korea thought they had extended their lead through Lim, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review deemed a handball offense had occurred. This decision proved costly, as Tajikistan responded with two rapid goals from Naziev in the 83rd minute and Jorda in the 85th minute, turning the game on its head.
With time running out, South Korea found a lifeline in the form of a penalty, awarded after a Tajikistan player was found guilty of handling the ball inside the penalty area.Kim Ji-sung stepped up and calmly converted the spot-kick, sending the game into a penalty shootout.
Penalty Shootout Drama
In the penalty shootout, South Korea displayed nerves of steel, converting all five of their spot-kicks. Kim Ye-gun,Kim ji-sung,Kim Eun-sung,So Yoon-woo,and Oh Hyun-bin all successfully found the net. Goalkeeper Park Do-hoon emerged as the hero, saving Tajikistan’s third penalty, ultimately securing South Korea’s passage to the semifinals.
Road to the Semifinals and U-17 World Cup Qualification
Despite an initial setback with a 1-0 loss to Indonesia in their opening group stage match, South Korea bounced back with two consecutive wins to finish second in their group with two wins and one loss. Their victory over Tajikistan not only secured their place in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup semifinals but also guaranteed their qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The expansion of the FIFA U-17 World Cup to 48 teams means that all quarter-finalists from the AFC U-17 Asian Cup automatically qualify for the global tournament. This represents a significant chance for these young players to showcase their talent on the world stage.
South korea is scheduled to face saudi Arabia in the semi-finals on April 17th. The team will be looking to continue their impressive run and secure a place in the final.