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Kim Ji-soo (third from right), a key defender for the South Korean under-23 men's national football team, receives a yellow card in the 34th minute of the second half during the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Men's Football Group D opening match against Qatar at Mizuho Park Rugby Stadium in Nagoya, Japan, on the 15th. / Yonhap

It was a satisfying start, yet not without its flaws. Such is the takeaway for South Korean men's football, which could not completely shake off minor lingering regrets despite wrapping up its opening match at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with a resounding victory.

The South Korean under-23 men's national football team, led by head coach Lee Min-sung, secured three points by crushing Middle Eastern powerhouse Qatar 4-1 on the back of a hat-trick from Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City) in their tournament Group D opener at Mizuho Park Rugby Stadium in Nagoya, Japan, on the 15th.

Aiming for a fourth consecutive Asian Games title, Lee's squad performed beyond expectations despite facing multiple unfavorable conditions, including torrential rain, high humidity, and a late arrival at the stadium caused by a bus driver's mistake. Powered by solid performances across the board—led by Eom, followed by Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic), Lee Seung-won (Gangwon), and Kim Myeong-jun (KRC Genk), who sealed the match with the final goal—the team cruised to a comfortable win.

However, the yellow cards shown in succession to key defensive asset Kim Ji-soo (Brentford) in the 34th minute and Eom in the 39th minute of the second half left a sour taste. Under tournament rules, any player who receives two yellow cards in separate matches or gets sent off is suspended for the match following the second caution or expulsion. While a single yellow card is wiped out after the group stage, both players will inevitably have to play with somewhat restrained intensity to minimize the risk of card accumulation in their final Group D match against Saudi Arabia, set to take place at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium on the 22nd.

Defensive lapses exposed in the closing stages of the game also raised concern.

South Korea conceded a consolation goal to Mirghani Hassan during a free-kick sequence in the 40th minute of the second half, which resulted from the defenders letting their guard down due to a momentary lapse in concentration.

Addressing the issue after the match, coach Lee stressed, "This is an area the players must fix quickly as we advance to the next match, the quarterfinals, the semifinals, and the final. It serves as a good wake-up call to sharpen our concentration."

                                                                                                         Cho Seong-jun