The South Korea U-23 football team began their ASIAD 2026 journey with an emphatic 4-1 win against Qatar, showcasing their potential as strong contenders for the gold medal in men's football. The match, part of Group D, saw Eom Ji Sung steal the spotlight with a remarkable hat-trick, demonstrating his skill and composure on the field.

Before the match, an unusual incident occurred as the team bus driver mistakenly took the squad to a baseball field instead of the football stadium, causing a 30-minute delay. However, the team quickly overcame this setback. Eom Ji Sung opened the scoring just seven minutes into the match, receiving a long pass from Kim Ji Soo and firing a shot from the left side of the penalty area into the net.

Eom Ji Sung, who plays for Swansea City in the English Championship, continued to shine. He doubled his tally in the 20th minute by intercepting a pass from the Qatari defense and finishing with a right-footed shot. He completed his hat-trick in stoppage time of the first half, tapping in a low cross from the right side of the box.

In the second half, Kim Myeong Jun added a fourth goal for South Korea after receiving a through ball from Yang Hyun Jun. The South Korean side, primarily composed of players under 23, dominated the match and effectively neutralized a Qatari team that featured younger players preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Despite Qatar's attempts, they managed only one shot on target throughout the game, with Hassan scoring a late consolation goal in the 85th minute. This victory places South Korea in a strong position as they aim for a spot in the quarter-finals. A draw against Saudi Arabia in their next match on September 22 will guarantee their progression.

Final score: U23 Qatar 1 - 4 U23 South Korea (Half-time: 0-3)

Goals: Eom Ji Sung (7', 20', 45+1'), Kim Myeong Jun (66') for South Korea; Hassan (85') for Qatar.