Lee Kang-in (L) of South Korea dribbles past Japan's Hayato Okuda in the men's football final at the Hangzhou Asian Games, Oct. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
South Korea defended the men's football title with a comeback win over Japan, while Uzbekistan claimed bronze at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
HANGZHOU, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- South Korea came back to overcome Japan 2-1 in the men's football final here on Saturday, taking its third consecutive Asian Games title.
South Korea had beaten Uzbekistan 2-1 while Japan had eased past Hong Kong, China 4-0 to reach the final.
Japan enjoyed a dream start as Uchino Kotaro hit Kein Sato's cross into the back of the net just two minutes into the game.
South Korea equalized in the 27th minute as Jeong Woo-yeong headed Hwang Jae-won's pinpoint pass home. Jeong scored seven goals in the competition to win the Golden Boot award for top goalscorer.
Uzbekistan players celebrate scoring during the men's football bronze medal match against Hong Kong, China at the Hangzhou Asian Games, Oct. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)
South Korea kept their momentum in the second half. Hwang dribbled through the middle to cause chaos in Japan's box, and Cho Young-wook picked up the loose ball and sent it home in the 56th minute.
Victory in the Asian Games ensures that South Korea's players are now exempt from the country's mandatory military service, ensuring that their professional careers will not be interrupted.
In the bronze medal match, Norchaev Khusain scored twice as Uzbekistan beat Hong Kong, China 4-0. ■