South Korea Coach Hwang Sun-hong Wary of Indonesia's Threat in AFC U-23 Asian Cup Quarterfinals

South Korea's U-23 national football team head coach Hwang Sun-hong has expressed caution about the potential of the Indonesian team ahead of their quarterfinal match in the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup, which serves as the Olympic qualifiers. Despite South Korea's strong performance in the group stage, including a 1-0 win over Japan, Hwang understands that football is played on the pitch, not on paper.

Indonesia, coached by former South Korea boss Shin Tae-yong, secured the runner-up spot in Group A and will pose a challenge for South Korea. Hwang acknowledged that Indonesia has improved significantly and could pose a challenge to his team. "Indonesia has a good team and a good coach," Hwang said. "We will need to be well-prepared and focused to overcome them."

The match between South Korea and Indonesia is an important one as it will determine which team advances to the Olympic Games. The top three teams from the tournament will qualify for the Paris Olympics, while the fourth-place team will face an intercontinental playoff.

Why this matters: The outcome of this quarterfinal match will be crucial for both teams' Olympic aspirations. South Korea has played at every Olympic men's football tournament since 1988, while Indonesia's only Olympic appearance came in 1956.

Hwang and Shin have a history as players in the 1990s, and Hwang has been impressed by the way Shin has built a good team with Indonesia. "Coach Shin knows Korean football very well," Hwang said. "He has done a great job with Indonesia, and we expect a tough match."

South Korea defeated Japan 1-0 in their final group stage match, with substitute Kim Min-woo scoring the winning goal in the 75th minute. Hwang rested most of his key players against Japan, but the team still managed to secure the victory and finish the group stage with an unblemished record.

The upcoming quarterfinal match will feature an intriguing coaching duel between Hwang and Shin, two of the greatest players in South Korean football history. Hwang is cautious about the match and expects a tough challenge from Indonesia, who are known for their energetic play and quick passing. The winner of this match will have a shot at earning an Olympic spot and continuing their quest for glory in the tournament.</p

Key Takeaways

• South Korea's U-23 team faces Indonesia in AFC U-23 Asian Cup quarterfinals.
• Indonesia, coached by ex-South Korea boss Shin Tae-yong, poses a challenge for South Korea.
• Top 3 teams from the tournament qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
• Coaching duel between Hwang Sun-hong and Shin Tae-yong, former Korean football greats.
• Winner of the quarterfinal match will earn an Olympic spot and continue their tournament run.