A point was gained, but a lot was lost.
The South Korea U-20 football team drew 2-2 with Honduras in their second Group F match of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, Argentina, on 26 June.
South Korea conceded back-to-back goals to Honduras in the first and second half to fall behind 0-2. In the second half, Kim Yong-hak and Park Seung-ho scored back-to-back goals to draw 2-2 and overcome the threat of defeat.안전놀이터
Considering that Honduras was classified as the weakest team in Group F, a draw was definitely a disappointing result. Moreover, it’s a real shame that they had to settle for a draw despite their numerical advantage when David Ochoa was sent off midway through the first half. They still have a good chance of qualifying for the Round of 16 with a point, but there was too much to take away from the game against Honduras.
South Korea lost Park Seung-ho, who scored the equaliser against Honduras, to a right foot injury. He was substituted in the 53rd minute by Bae Jun-ho, who scored in the 62nd minute, and three minutes later was replaced by Lee Seung-jun in the 65th minute.
To add insult to injury, key defender Choi Seok-hyun was sent off for accumulating cautions, as he was booked in the 80th minute and again in stoppage time for denying a Honduran counter-attack.
Starting goalkeeper Kim Jun-hong was cautioned for delay of game in late stoppage time. Having been cautioned for a questionable decision in the previous match against France, it was the second straight game that he was suspended for the Gambia.
The result was a disappointing 2-2 draw and the loss of Choi Seok-hyun and Kim Jun-hong. Park Seung-ho’s availability is also uncertain after suffering a foot injury.
South Korea’s final opponents, the Gambia, have already booked their place in the round of 16 after beating both Honduras and France. With France, who were rated as the favourites, not having any key players available, the Gambia will be the toughest opponent for Korea at the moment.
In other words, South Korea will have to overcome a key power leak against the Gambia, the strongest opponent in Group F. At worst, a defeat could leave their chances of qualifying for the round of 16 in doubt, depending on the outcome of their matches against France and Honduras.
For now, a win against the Gambia is the most obvious answer. At the very least, they should hope for a draw. A defeat would add to their case. It’s been a tough run, but they’ve done well, and now they need one last push.