The South Korea U19 national soccer team opened their qualifying round for the 2025 AFC U20 Asian Cup with a 3-0 victory over Kuwait.
Under the leadership of head coach Lee Chang Won, South Korea showcased their dominance in the first Group C match, held on Tuesday at Abdullah Al Khalifa Stadium.
The match turned in South Korea’s favor during first-half stoppage time, where they netted two goals. In the first minute of stoppage time, Kim Tae Won scored with a right-footed shot after receiving a pass from Kim Gyeol. Just four minutes later, Kim Ho Jin delivered a free-kick cross that sailed directly into the net, extending their lead.
Continuing their strong performance, South Korea sealed the game with a third goal in the 71st minute, courtesy of a header from Jin Jun Seo, putting the score at 3-0.
The qualifiers for this tournament, which runs until the 29th, feature 45 teams divided into 10 groups competing for a chance to advance. The top team from each group and the five best second-place teams will join the host country, China, culminating in a final round of 16 teams scheduled for February next year.
South Korea is in Group C, competing against Kuwait, the Northern Mariana Islands, the United Arab Emirates, and Lebanon. It will face the Northern Mariana Islands in its next qualifying match tomorrow.
