China's young football squad faced a tough start at the East Asian Cup, losing 3-0 to hosts South Korea in a match that highlighted the gap in experience between the teams. Here's the breakdown 🧐:
Match Highlights
South Korea dominated early, with Lee Dong-gyeong firing a left-foot rocket from outside the box in the 8th minute 🚀. Joo Min-kyu’s header doubled the lead by halftime, and Kim Ju-sung sealed the deal in the 57th minute after a corner scramble. China’s defense struggled to keep up with South Korea’s sharp passing and tempo shifts.
Young Squad, Big Challenges
Caretaker coach Dejan Djurdjevic fielded fresh faces, including 17-year-olds Kuai Jiwen and Wang Yudong. 'We tried new tactics, but South Korea’s early goal changed everything,' he admitted post-match. Despite the loss, Djurdjevic praised his team’s effort and hinted at adjustments for their next game against Japan 🇯🇵.
Coach’s Corner
'They’re a strong team—we knew it’d be tough,' Djurdjevic said. Injuries forced lineup changes, but he remains hopeful: 'We’ll regroup and aim for better conditions next time.'
China faces Japan on Saturday. Can the young squad bounce back? 👀
