South Korea top Group B to face Indonesia; Qatar take on Japan in last 8

DOHA: Kim Min-woo’s header 15 minutes from time propelled Korea Republic to a 1-0 victory over Japan in Group B of the AFC U23 Asian Cup on Monday.
The win sets up an exciting quarter-final showdown with Indonesia for Korea, while Japan prepares to face hosts Qatar after suffering their first defeat of the competition.
Head coach Hwang Sun-hong’s strategic substitution paid dividends as Kim, introduced from the bench, made an immediate impact by breaking the deadlock in a match that seemed destined for a draw. Despite both teams already securing their spots in the knockout rounds, the intensity remained high throughout the game, culminating in Kim’s decisive goal.
With momentum on their side, Korea Republic now looks ahead to the quarter-finals with confidence, aiming to carry their winning form further in the tournament. Meanwhile, Japan will regroup and prepare to face a tough challenge against host nation Qatar in their quest for a spot in the semi-finals.