# South Korea wins fourth consecutive Asian Games football

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/asian-games-football-tournament-opening-rounds
> Updated: 2026-10-02T17:00:00.000Z. Sources: 37. Developments: 5.

South Korea’s U-23 men’s football team secured a historic fourth consecutive Asian Games title with a 1-0 victory over Japan in the final at Toyota Stadium on October 3.

The championship match remained scoreless through the first half. The decisive goal was scored by Om Ji-seon in the 61st minute, following intense pressing from Yang Min-hyeok. Japan narrowly missed an equalizer in the 34th minute of the second half when Hisatsugu Ishii’s powerful long-range shot struck the goalpost. Despite late pressure from the host nation, South Korea maintained defensive discipline to protect the lead.

With this win, South Korea continues its dominant run, having previously won gold in 2014, 2018, and 2022. The victory also fulfills the significant implication for the South Korean squad regarding mandatory military service, as gold medalists qualify for a special program that allows for the deferment of service.

## Claims

- The final will be held on October 3 at Toyota Stadium. (disputed by 6 sources)
- The match took place at Nagai Stadium in Osaka. (disputed by 6 sources)
- South Korea defeated China 2-1 in the men's football semi-finals at the 2026 Asian Games. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Lee Young-jun scored the equalizer in the 33rd minute. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Bae Jun-ho scored the winning goal in the 82nd minute. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- China's Wang Yudong scored the opening goal in the 22nd minute. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- South Korea is aiming for a fourth consecutive Asian Games gold medal. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Eom Ji-sung provided two assists in the match. (corroborated by 5 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-02: Japan and South Korea face off in ASIAD men's football final

Japan and South Korea face off in the ASIAD 20 men's football final, with South Korea chasing a record fourth consecutive gold medal.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-and-japan-to-face-off-in-asiad-20-u23-football-final

### 2026-09-28: South Korea advances to Asian Games football final after beating China

South Korea's U-23 men's football team reached the 2026 Asian Games final after a 2-1 comeback win against China, setting up a potential gold medal match against Japan or Uzbekistan.

36 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-womens-football-team-reaches-asiad-20-final

### 2026-09-25: Japan U-21 football team advances to Asian Games semi-finals

Japan's U-21 national football team reached the Asian Games semi-finals after defeating North Korea 1-0, highlighted by standout saves from 18-year-old goalkeeper Rui Araki.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-u-21-football-team-advances-to-asian-games-semi-finals

### 2026-09-16: Asian Games men's football: Opening round concludes with major victories

The opening round of the Asian Games men's football tournament saw victories for Japan, South Korea, China, and Uzbekistan, featuring high-scoring matches and strategic use of overage players.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/asian-games-mens-football-opening-round-concludes-with-major-victories

### 2026-09-14: Japan football teams secure opening wins at Asian Games

Japan's U-21 men's team defeated Hong Kong 2-0, while the women's national team secured an 8-0 victory against Thailand at the Asian Games.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-football-teams-secure-opening-wins-at-asian-games

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Cite as: South Korea wins fourth consecutive Asian Games football. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/asian-games-football-tournament-opening-rounds