Walter Soares Belitardo Junior (R) of China's Hong Kong vies with Lee Seungwon of South Korea during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and South Korea at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final in Yongin, South Korea, July 11, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
YONGIN, South Korea, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Host nation South Korea secured a 2-0 victory over Hong Kong, China for a second straight win at the 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship, also known as the East Asian Cup, here on Friday.
In the 27th minute, South Korea's Kang Sang-yoon opened the scoring with a composed finish after turning past his marker, assisted by Seo Min-woo. After the break, South Korea saw two long-range efforts miss the target before Lee Ho-jae doubled its lead in the 67th minute with a powerful header.
South Korea dominated possession throughout, enjoying 78 percent of the ball and registering 20 shots, six of which were on target.
The East Asian Cup tournament is a four-team mini-league where each team plays the others once. Rankings are determined by total points, followed by head-to-head results, goal difference and goals scored.
South Korea beat China 3-0 in their opening match on Monday. With two straight wins, South Korea now has six points. On July 15, South Korea will face defending champions Japan, while Hong Kong will take on China.
The East Asian Cup is being held from July 7 to 16 in Suwon and Yongin of South Korea's Gyeonggi Province. ■
Head coach Ashley Westwood of China's Hong Kong reacts during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and South Korea at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final in Yongin, South Korea, July 11, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Chan Shinichi (R) of China's Hong Kong vies with Seo Myungguan of South Korea during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and South Korea at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final in Yongin, South Korea, July 11, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Kang Sangyoon of South Korea celebrates scoring during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and South Korea at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final in Yongin, South Korea, July 11, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Chan Shinichi (R) of China's Hong Kong vies with Kim Taehyun of South Korea during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and South Korea at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final in Yongin, South Korea, July 11, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Players of China's Hong Kong pose for a group photo before the men's match between China's Hong Kong and South Korea at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final in Yongin, South Korea, July 11, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Players of China's Hong Kong pose for a group photo before the men's match between China's Hong Kong and South Korea at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final in Yongin, South Korea, July 11, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Kang Sangyoon (L) of South Korea vies with Tze Nam Yue of China's Hong Kong during the men's match at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final in Yongin, South Korea, July 11, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Head coach Ashley Westwood of China's Hong Kong reacts during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and South Korea at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final in Yongin, South Korea, July 11, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Walter Soares Belitardo Junior (R) of China's Hong Kong vies with Cho Hyuntaek of South Korea during the men's match at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final in Yongin, South Korea, July 11, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
