First, the eliminated Indonesian soccer team rejoiced at the victory of the South Korean under-17 (U-17) national team.

The Indonesian U-17 team lost 0-6 to North Korea in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-17 Asian Cup held at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the 14th (Korea time).

Indonesia topped Group C with three wins in three matches, including a 1-0 victory over South Korea in the group stage. Their confidence seemed to soar.

However, the wall of North Korea, a strong team only in age-group national teams, was too high. Indonesia faced the second-placed North Korea in Group D and suffered the humiliation of conceding six goals, leading to their elimination. Indonesia conceded the opening goal just seven minutes into the match and collapsed further, allowing four more goals in the second half.

After the match, Indonesian 'OK Zone Bola' noted, "The Indonesian national team managed only three shots. They were pressured by the North Korean players throughout the match, with ball possession only at 37%. North Korea launched relentless attacks for 90 minutes." Indonesian fans also commented, "Their physicality is not like that of 17-year-olds," "The final will probably be North Korea against South Korea," "This is so cruel," and "North Korea could win it all."

Subsequently, the South Korean U-17 team succeeded in advancing to the semifinals by defeating Tajikistan 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in the quarterfinals held at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in the early hours of the 15th.

It was a fierce battle. South Korea took the lead with Jeong Hyun-woong’s opening goal in the 22nd minute of the first half, but in the 29th minute of the second half, Lim Ye-chan’s spectacular long-range goal was canceled due to a handball foul. Additionally, South Korea allowed consecutive goals in the 38th and 40th minutes, conceding the lead.

However, just as the outlook seemed bleak, a dramatic equalizer came in stoppage time of the second half. South Korea earned a penalty kick after a video assistant referee (VAR) review for an opponent's handball foul just before the end, and Kim Ji-sung converted it, saving the team. The match immediately proceeded to a fateful penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Park Do-hoon saved the shot from Tajikistan's second kicker, adding to the drama.

'OK Zone Bola' welcomed South Korea's thrilling victory. The media emphasized, "The Taeguk Warriors defended the honor of Group C!" and stated, "The South Korean U-17 national team dramatically defeated Tajikistan in the quarterfinals. After a fierce battle, they won in a penalty shootout, securing qualification for the semifinals and maintaining Group C's honor."

Thus, South Korea started the tournament insecurely, having been upset by Indonesia in their opening match, but secured their place in the semifinals with three wins in the following matches. Their opponent for a place in the final will be the host nation, Saudi Arabia.

The semifinal matchups are set: North Korea vs. Uzbekistan and South Korea vs. Saudi Arabia. If South Korea and North Korea win their respective matches, they will face off in a 'inter-Korean clash' in the final. If South Korea wins the remaining two matches, it would mark their third title in the tournament and their first victory in 23 years since the 2002 United Arab Emirates (UAE) tournament.

After the match, head coach Baek Gi-tae expressed gratitude to the players who did not give up until the end. He said, "Tajikistan was a really excellent team, well-balanced and difficult to break. However, I’m glad the players did not give up in a tough match. It would have been easier if we had scored more goals, but we conceded two goals in a short time due to loose defense and lack of communication."

The goalkeeper Park Do-hoon, who saved South Korea in the penalty shootout, said, "I felt a lot of pressure when entering the penalty shootout. But I believed in myself and was confident. When I saved the second shot, I felt relieved." He added, "It was such a big match, so the pressure was different. Even though we allowed Tajikistan to come back, I’m really happy to win with my friends."

[Photo] AFC Asian Cup social media.

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