Hwang Seon-hong-ho loses in shock to Shin Tae-yong’s Indonesia… Failed to advance to Olympics for the 10th time in a row

Korean men’s soccer team (23rd in FIFA rankings), which was aiming to advance to the Olympic finals for the 10th time in a row, suffered a shock loss to Indonesia (134th) and was thwarted from going to Paris.

The Korean national soccer team, led by coach Hwang Seon-hong, defeated Indonesia, led by coach Shin Tae-yong, 2-2, including overtime, in the quarterfinals of the 2024 AFC (Asian Football Confederation) U-23 Asian Cup held at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar on the 26th (Korean time). After a draw, they lost 10 to 11 in a penalty shootout. With the 1st to 3rd places going straight to the Paris Olympics and the 4th place having to play a playoff against Guinea in Africa, Korea failed to advance to the semifinals and could not compete in the Olympic finals.

They were completely defeated in terms of the content of the game, including losing significantly in the number of shots. Coach Hwang Seon-hong, who tried to carry on the momentum from last year’s Hangzhou Asian Games gold medal to the finals of the Paris Olympics, suffered the most painful defeat of his career as he was defeated in a battle of wits by coach Shin Tae-yong in the match against Indonesia. The monotonous strategy of focusing on side crosses was holding them back.

After coach Jurgen Klinsmann was sacked after the Asian Cup, it became difficult for coach Hwang Sun-hong to avoid criticism that he had been negligent in preparing for this tournament as he was working ‘two jobs’, including serving as the head coach of the national team in the two-game World Cup qualifier against Thailand last month.

With the loss to Indonesia, Korean men’s soccer stopped at ‘9’ the record for the most consecutive finals appearances from the 1988 Seoul Olympics to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. With men’s soccer eliminated, Korea will only be able to participate in the Paris Olympics in women’s handball among team ball sports.

Korea, led by coach Hwang Seon-hong, played in a 3-4-3 format. Uhm Ji-seong, Kang Seong-jin, and Hong Si-hoo played as the top three, while Baek Sang-hoon and Kim Dong-jin were deployed in the midfield. Lee Tae-seok and Hwang Jae-won played as wingbacks. Cho Hyun-taek, Byun Jun-su, and Lee Kang-hee formed the defensive line. Baek Jong-beom put on goalkeeper gloves.

In the 8th minute of the first half, Korea’s Lee Kang-hee’s mid-range shot hit the net, but VAR (video review) declared offside and the score was cancelled. Korea, which missed the opportunity to take the lead, gave up the first goal to Indonesia. In the 15th minute of the first half, Raphael Strawick’s mid-range shot from outside the penalty box passed goalkeeper Baek Jong-beom and hit the net. It was the first goal allowed by Korea in this tournament.

Indonesia continued to push Korea hard thereafter. In the 32nd minute of the first half, Marcelino Ferdinan’s right-footed shot, which penetrated the Korean camp by exchanging short passes, missed the goal. It was a crisis no different from conceding a goal. In terms of adult soccer rankings, Korea (23rd) was behind Indonesia (134th), which was ranked much lower, throughout the first half. Coach Hwang Seon-hong did not attempt changes such as replacing players or changing formations even when the game was not going well, but instead relied on side penetration as he had shown throughout the group stage.

Korea scored a lucky equalizer in the 45th minute of the first half. Hong Si-hoo’s cross from the right side was headed by Uhm Seong, but the ball hit Indonesian defender Komang Tegu’s face and deflected. The opposing goalkeeper, Hernando Ari, did not handle it properly and it ended up being a goal.

Indonesia’s own goal barely tied the score, but Korea conceded a goal three minutes later. In the 48th minute of the first half, while Cho Hyun-taek and Lee Kang-hee were struggling to handle a long ball from behind, Strawick caught it and scored a goal. The goal was a fatal mistake by the defense.

Seon-Hong Hwang only had one shot in the first half, and there were no effective shots. On the other hand, Indonesia had 7 shots and 3 effective shots. Korea also fell behind in market share, at 49-51 (%).

In the second half, coach Hwang Seon-hong attempted to make changes by substituting Lee Young-jun, who scored three goals in the last three group stage games, Sang-bin Jeong, who plays for Minnesota, and striker Kang Sang-yoon, born in 2004. The formation also changed to 4-4-2.

In the early part of the second half, the Korean defense was breached one after another, allowing a shower of shots. Korea took the opportunity after the middle of the game as the pass came alive, but in the 25th minute of the second half, Lee Young-jun stepped on the opponent’s defense and received a fatal red card.

In the 39th minute of the second half, Korea’s Jeong Sang-bin scored a golden equalizer despite being outnumbered. Hong Yun-sang, who caught the ball quickly thrown by goalkeeper Baek Jong-beom, gave a pass to Jeong Sang-bin, who calmly scored a goal after a solo breakthrough.

Korea’s coach Hwang Sun-hong was also sent off at the end of the second half. In a chaotic situation, Hong Yun-sang attempted to break through and received a free kick on the left side just outside the penalty box. However, Jeong Sang-bin’s free kick missed the goal.

Entering overtime with one fewer player, Korea thickened up its defense and attempted a counterattack. As if aware of the penalty shootout in the second half of overtime, they placed five defenders behind them and began to block the opponent’s attack. However, his concentration was disturbed and he easily allowed the opponent an opportunity to attack. Fortunately, Indonesia’s decisiveness declined and the two teams ended up in a penalty shootout.

In Korea, kickers 1 to 5 were all successful. Goalkeeper Baek Jong-beom blocked Indonesia’s fifth kicker Hubner’s kick, but he went forward before taking the kick, so it was kicked again. Hubner succeeded and the game went to the 6th kicker.

For Korea, kicker Kang Sang-yoon’s kick was blocked. However, Indonesia’s No. 6 kicker’s kick missed the goal, and Korea made a comeback. For both teams, kickers 7 through 9 were successful.

For Korea, goalkeeper Baek Jong-beom took the number 10 kicker and hit the net. Indonesia’s goalkeeper Hernando also succeeded in kicking.

While all of the 11th kickers were successful, the kick of 12th kicker Lee Kang-hee was blocked. Indonesia’s No. 12 kicker succeeded and Korea’s dream of participating in the Olympics was thwarted.