U-20 Soccer Team Could Face Australia

Who will the Korean youth footballers meet in the quarterfinals?

In the AFC Youth Championship (U-19), it seems very likely that Korea might encounter Australia to fight for a ticket to the semifinals. Teams that proceed to the semifinals win the qualification to take part in the FIFA U-20 World Cup. In the second match of Group B held on November 1 at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, India, Australia defeated Thailand 3-1.

With this win and a loss in another game, which sums up to three points, Australia took the second place in the group after China (two wins, six points). Although Australia has the same points as Thailand, they are ahead in terms of goal differences. Australia lost its game against China, 1-0.

In this tournament, the leaders and runners-up of each of the four groups proceed to the quarterfinals. Korea is now taking lead in Group A. If this status doesn’t change, Korea will meet the team that takes the second place in Group B. Australia, currently Korea’s potential adversary, will have their final match with the United Arab Emirates on November 3. As for now, UAE is marking two losses. It is expected that Australia would beat the UAE and seal their second place on the standing secure. Thailand has another game against China left, but since there seems to be little chances for them to win, it is predictable that China might defeat Thailand and take the first place of Group B.

The Korean U-20 team will have their quarterfinal match on 7:30 p.m. on November 6.

bluesky@donga.com