Japan fails to defeat Korea in 2025 AFC Asian U20 Cup

Japan have qualified to the next stage of the AFC U20 Asian Cup

By Emmanuel Akyereko

Japan’s U20 side recorded their second straight draw in the 2025 AFC Asian U20 Cup after splitting the points in their Group D clash at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base – Artificial Grass in China on Thursday afternoon.

Despite going ahead in the 28th minute through Kawasaki Frontale forward Soma Kanda, the Blue Samurai succumbed to a last-minute from substantive Tae-won Kim who levelled for South Korea in a 1-1 drawn game.

Japan went into the game having drawn their previous tie against Syria in a 2-2 scoreline and Kano Michihisa’s boys were hoping to return to winning ways however, their neighbours disrupted their plans with a last-gasp effort.

The point earned from the clash helped Korea to maintain their leadership of Group D and progress to the knockout stages with Japan also going through as the runner-up from the group.

Syria and Thailand have been eliminated from the competition.