Players of South Korea celebrate after the Men's Semifinal of Football between South Korea and Uzbekistan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
HANGZHOU, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- Japan eased past Hong Kong, China 4-0, while South Korea edged Uzbekistan 2-1 in the men's football semifinals at the Hangzhou Asian Games here on Wednesday.
Shun Ayukawa opened the scoreline for Japan in the 23rd minute, and Shota Hino doubled the lead in the 54th minute. Japan's Yota Komi added another in the 74th minute, before Hino scored his second in the 86th minute to seal the victory.
"We will focus on the problems that we encountered tonight and get prepared for the final. We will try our best to win the gold medal," Japan's coach Go Oiwa said after the match.
Defending champion South Korea won the other semifinal, thanks to Jeong Woo-yeong's brace.
Jeong broke the deadlock in the fourth minute. Jasurbek Jaloliddinov fired a free-kick to equalize for Uzbekistan in the 26th minute. Then, Jeong netted again in the 38th minute to retake the lead for South Korea.
The second half saw more physical challenges. Abdurauf Buriev received his second yellow card, and 10-man Uzbekistan failed to come back.
The final will be played on Saturday evening. ■
Cho Youngwook (C, top) of South Korea and Mukhammadkodir Khamraliev (C, bottom) of Uzbekistan compete during the Men's Semifinal of Football between South Korea and Uzbekistan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Gong Bing)
Paik Seungho (R) of South Korea vies with Bekhzod Shamsiev of Uzbekistan during the Men's Semifinal of Football between South Korea and Uzbekistan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Gong Bing)
Lee Kangin (L) of South Korea vies with Yuldoshev Ibrokhimkhalil of Uzbekistan during the Men's Semifinal of Football between South Korea and Uzbekistan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Gong Bing)
Players of South Korea celebrate after the Men's Semifinal of Football between South Korea and Uzbekistan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Gong Bing)
Team South Korea pose for photos after the Men's Semifinal of Football between South Korea and Uzbekistan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
