South Korea Drawn with Saudi Arabia, Qatar in Asian Games Men's Football; Women to Face North Korea

SEOUL — South Korea, the three-time defending champions in men's football at the Asian Games, will face Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the group stage of the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The women's team, meanwhile, will meet North Korea in their group, according to the draw held in Nagoya, Japan, on Thursday.

The men's competition features 15 teams divided into three groups of four and one group of three. South Korea landed in Group D, which contains only two other opponents, meaning the team will play one fewer match than those in the other three groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals.

Coach Lee Min-sung's squad will aim for a fourth consecutive gold medal. The men's tournament is an under-23 competition, but each team is permitted to include up to three players over the age limit. Lee unveiled his 23-man squad on July 9, which includes four players from South Korea's FIFA World Cup squad from June — among them all three over-23 players: Celtic FC midfielder Yang Hyun-jun (24), Swansea City midfielder Eom Ji-sung (24), and Gangwon FC defender Lee Gi-hyuk (26).

The group stage draw also placed Japan, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, and Hong Kong in Group A; China, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and North Korea in Group B; and Vietnam, Uzbekistan, the Philippines, and Kuwait in Group C.

The Asian Games opening ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 19, but the men's football competition will begin on Sept. 15. South Korea will open their campaign against Qatar on that day and then face Saudi Arabia on Sept. 22, both at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium. The gold medal match is set for Oct. 3.

The women's team, led by head coach Shin Sang-woo, will compete in Group F. The team has not won a gold medal in Asian Games women's football history, with three consecutive bronze medals their best results to date.

Key Claims

  • South Korea's men's team is in Group D with Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
  • The draw took place in Nagoya, Japan, on Thursday.
  • South Korea will play one fewer group match than other teams.
  • The men's team is coached by Lee Min-sung and seeks a fourth straight gold.
  • The competition is under-23 with three over-age players permitted.
  • The women's team, under Shin Sang-woo, will face North Korea in Group F.
  • The women's team has never won Asian Games gold, with three bronzes as their best.