Korea’s Kim Eun-Joong-ho scored the winner against France at the U-20 World Cup. However, a bizarre call left a sour taste in the mouth as they conceded a penalty kick (PK).
The South Korea U-20 football team, led by head coach Kim Eun-joong, defeated France 2-1 in their first match of Group F at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 at the Mendoza Stadium in Argentina on Wednesday (June 23).
France was one of the favorites to win the tournament, but Kim Eun-jung-ho scored back-to-back goals from Lee Seung-won (Gangwon) and Lee Young-joon (Gimcheon) to earn a valuable victory and advance to the Round of 16, which will be contested by the top four teams from each of the six groups that finish 1-2 and 3-3.
However, they conceded a PK goal in the 21st minute of the second half after leading 2-0 due to an incomprehensible call. A cross from the flank was met by Kim Jun-hong, who flew out to punch it in, colliding with opposing striker Malamine Efekele in the process.먹튀검증
The cross didn’t reach Kim’s hands or Efekele’s body, and the ball sailed out of play. In the process, Kim crashed into Efekele’s shoulder so hard that he had to be treated for a while. When he finally got up, Colombian referee John Ospina showed him a yellow card and awarded France a PK. Kim Joon-hong had a dumbfounded look on his face.
It was a close call. With Efekele in position, it wasn’t as if Kim was late to the fray, nor was it as if Efekele had clear possession of the ball. The two players almost simultaneously launched themselves at a cross from the edge of the box, and the ball went straight to the other side. It was a yellow card for Kim Jun-hong, and it was hard to understand the PK decision.
“I don’t understand it,” said MBC commentator Ahn Jung-hwan. “Both players were not looking at the ball,” said Ahn. I think the goalkeeper thought it was a little late when the cross came in, but I don’t know if it’s a situation where you can give a PK. It was very unfortunate.”
Kim Joong-ho responded to the bizarre call with a victory. Even after the unfortunate PK, the mood was not dampened. They held on to their one-goal lead at 2-1 and won by one goal. South Korea started the group stage tied atop the standings with The Gambia, who defeated Honduras 2-1 in their next game. Had it not been for the PK, South Korea could have taken sole possession of first place.