‘Baby Tiger’ is strong! The Republic of Korea U-15 national team won 2-1 in a friendly against the host country, Italy.

The Republic of Korea Men’s U-15 National Team defeated Italy in the first match of the group stage of the Italy International Friendly Tournament.

South Korea defeated Italy 2-1 in the first match of the group stage of the 2024 Italia Torneo International Friendly Tournament held in Gradisca di Sonzo, Italy on the 25th.

South Korea took the lead in the 41st minute of the second half thanks to Kim Ji-woo (Busan I-Park U15)’s first goal, but later conceded a goal, but just before the end of the game, Samuel Seo (Baekma Jung) scored the winning goal. Kim Hyeon-jun, former coach of the Korea Football Association, is the coach of the U-15 national team for this tournament.

The game was played for a total of 70 minutes, with 35-minute halves in each half. With both teams finishing the first half scoreless, the balance of zero was broken early in the second half. After the opponent’s goal kick in the 6th minute of the second half, Kim Ji-woo quickly snatched the ball from the right side. Kim Ji-woo directly broke into the penalty area, bypassed three defenders, and then hit the net with a low left-footed shot.

Italy scored an equalizer in the 66th minute of the second half, and the game seemed to end in a draw, but the game was decided by a decisive goal just before the end. Choi Jae-hyuk (Gangwon FC U15), who cut off Italy’s counterattack, quickly put the ball into the opponent’s half, and in a mixed situation that ensued near the penalty area, Cho Joong-won (Incheon United U15)’s half volley shot hit the crossbar. Samuel Seo, who was at the gate, quickly rushed in and pushed the ball in, putting an end to the game.

A total of 12 teams will participate in this tournament, including Italy, South Korea, Romania, Slovenia, Saudi Arabia, Czech Republic, Ireland, United Arab Emirates (UAE), North Macedonia, Austria, Wales, and Norway. The group stage will be played in four groups of three teams, and depending on the results of the group stage, two more games will be played in the form of a ranking match, for a total of four games for all teams. Korea, which is in a group with Italy and Romania, will play the second group match against Romania on the 26th.

▲ 1st round of the 2024 Torneo International Friendly Tournament, Italy

South Korea U-15 2-1 Italy U-15

Scorers: Kim Ji-woo (after 41), Samuel Seo (after 70+4, Korea) and Samuele Pisatti (after 66, Italy)

South Korea players: Kim Geon-ho (GK), Choi Jae-hyuk, Tae-yoon Tae, Kang Moo-sung, Choi Min-jun, Moon Ji-hwan (54 Jo Jung-won), Ahn Joo-wan, Jin Jun-ho (54 Lee In-woo), Park Do-hyun (HT Seo Samuel), Kim Ji-woo (58 Baek Geon), Lee Jin-hyuk (54) Post 54 Ahn Seon-hyeon)

Min Jun-gu, MK Sports reporter