South Korea U23 vs Japan U23 Preview and Betting Tips - Taegeuk Warriors to Win Asian Games Final
South Korea U23 faces Japan U23 in the final of the 2026 Asian Games football tournament. South Korea, unbeaten and defending champions, have won the last three finals—each time beating Japan. They come into the match in impressive form, while Japan also remain unbeaten but struggled in the semi-final against Uzbekistan. Team news indicates both squads are fully fit, with no suspensions or injuries reported. Given South Korea’s recent dominance and perfect run, they head into the final as favorites to lift a record-extending seventh title.
- South Korea U23 seeking a 4th consecutive Asian Games title after going unbeaten.
- Japan U23 also undefeated, but have lost last two finals to South Korea.
- Both teams enter the final with full squads and high expectations.
- South Korea U23 vs Japan U23 Asian Games Preview
- Key Stats
- South Korea's Asian Games Dominance
- South Korea Still Perfect
- Japan Seeking Second Title
- Team News & Predicted Line-ups
South Korea U23 vs Japan U23 Asian Games Preview
South Korea and Japan square off in the final of the football event at the 2026 Asian Games, with both teams still unbeaten in the tournament.
However, the Taegeuk Warriors have won the last three editions and will be confident of getting past their rivals, who have been their victims a few times.
Key Stats
South Korea U23 have won all four of their matches in the tournament.
South Korea U23 have won the last three Asian Games finals.
Japan U23 have lost to South Korea U23 in the last two Asian Games finals.
South Korea's Asian Games Dominance
Both teams have claimed three wins each from six matches, with the most recent meeting a 1-0 victory for Japan in the Asian U23 Cup back in January. However, all of South Korea's wins have come in the Asian Games, beating the Samurai Blue in the last two finals.
South Korea Still Perfect
South Korea reached the final after claiming a 2-1 victory over China in their previous fixture. They fought back from a goal down, with efforts in each half from Lee Young-Jun and Bae Jun-Ho earning them the win.
That result maintains an impressive tournament for South Korea, who have won all their matches so far. Among the results for Lee Min-Sung's team is a 4-0 victory over Vietnam in the quarter-finals, while they also eased past Qatar 4-1 in their opening fixture in the competition.
South Korea are the dominant force in this tournament, having won the title a record six times. The Taegeuk Warriors are also the defending champions and have won the last three editions.
Japan Seeking Second Title
Japan are in the final of the Asian Games after edging past Uzbekistan on penalties. Sena Ishibashi’s late effort helped them come from behind to draw 1-1 in normal time before they went on to win in the shootout.
That was the toughest fixture for Japan so far, as they were made to work hard by Uzbekistan. The good news is that Go Oiwa's team remain unbeaten in the tournament and won all four previous matches prior to the semi-final clash.
One issue for Japan is that they do not have a great record at this level, having won the title just once. The Taegeuk Warriors have also lost the last two finals to South Korea, suffering a 2-1 defeat in the previous edition.
Team News & Predicted Line-ups
South Korea (4-2-3-1): Kim Jun-Hong; Choi Seok-Hyun, Kim Ji-Soo, Hwang Do-Yoo, Bae Hyun-Seo; Lee Seong-Won, Bae Jun-Ho; Shin Min-Ha, Kang Sang-Yun, Eom Ji-Sung; Lee Young-Jun.
South Korea have no injuries or suspensions heading into this clash and could stick with much of the team that won the semi-final. Lee Young-Jun and Bae Jun-Ho should continue in attack following their goals last time out, while Kim Ji-Soo is set to feature at the back once again.
Japan (4-2-3-1): Rui Araki; Rei Umeki, Rion Ichihara, Tariqkani Okabe, Mihiro Sato; Yotaro Nakajima, Nelson Ishiwatari; Sena Ishibashi, Shusuke Furuya, Hitsatsugu Ishii; Brian Nwadike.
Japan also came away from the semi-final with a fully fit squad. Ishibashi should retain his place in the team after netting the equaliser last time out, while Brian Nwadike and Rei Umeki could return to the starting line-up having come off the bench.
Verdict
Both teams are unbeaten in the tournament, although Japan showed some vulnerability in their semi-final clash.
South Korea remain perfect and having beaten the Samurai Blue in the last two finals, should have the upper hand once again.
South Korea
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