Moon Hyun-ho’s super save kept Kim Eun-joong in the game.
Kim Eun-Joong’s South Korea Under-20 football team drew 0-0 with the Gambia in their third Group F match at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023 at the Estadio Malvinas Argentina in Mendoza, Argentina, at 6:00 a.m. on Monday (29 June). With the draw, South Korea (5 points, 1 win, 2 draws) progressed to the Round of 16 as Group F runners-up and will face Group B runners-up Ecuador for a place in the quarter-finals.토토사이트
A place in the round of 16 was assured regardless of the outcome of today’s game. Having achieved their goal, South Korea had no reason to push themselves too hard. Coach Kim Eun-joong made a number of changes to the starting line-up from the previous match against Honduras, rotating the team.
Su Moon-jang was dropped for a different reason. Kim Jun-hong was suspended for the second consecutive game after the last match against Honduras. Kim Eun-joong opted for Moon Hyun-ho in goal, who made his professional debut with Chungnam Asan FC after growing up at Matan High School.
Moon was fully up to the challenge. The Gambia attacked with lanky striker Amada Bo, Mansour Mbier, Bailo Ba, and Lamine Marong all playing through Lamine. The sharpness they showed against Honduras and France was impressive.
South Korea came close on a number of occasions, but Moon Hyun-ho was up to the task. In the first minute of the second half, Ba’s cross went through Mbia and then Bojang attempted a header but was denied by a super save from Moon. In the fourth minute of the second half, Mbia’s shot was also stopped in front of Moon.
There were some sparkling moments. In the 22nd minute, Salifu Kohli took a cutback and fired in a surprise shot. Dynamo was caught in a tight angle but stretched out his arm to block. The ball hit the bar post and landed in the arms of Moon Hyun-ho. It was a narrow escape for South Korea.
South Korea ended up drawing with the Gambia to finish the group stage. It’s encouraging that they went through the group unbeaten against France, Honduras, and the Gambia, and that they’ve booked their place in the round of 16 early. The substitutes, including Moon Hyun-ho, did a great job.
Kim Eun-joong-ho will now head into the tournament. His round of 16 opponent is Group B runner-up Ecuador. Korea and Ecuador will meet on 2 June at 6am at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero, Argentina.