The 2025 U20 Asian Championship is being held in Shenzhen, China. U20 Thailand is placed in Group D alongside Japan, South Korea, and Syria.
U20 Thailand (in white) overwhelmed by U20 Japan (Photo: AFC).
The young Thai team faced Japan in their opening match this afternoon. However, the skill gap between U20 Thailand and U20 Japan was significant. Just 14 minutes into the game, Japan scored the opening goal.
Rento Takaoka delivered a corner kick, allowing Hisatsugu Ishii to comfortably strike the ball unmarked, beating the Thai goalkeeper and giving U20 Japan a 1-0 lead.
Following this goal, the match dynamics remained heavily tilted in favor of the Japanese youth squad.
Not long after the first goal, U20 Japan extended their lead with a second goal. In the 32nd minute, Thai goalkeeper Anut Samran fouled Hagumu Nakagawa inside the penalty area, prompting Qatari referee Abdulhadi Al-Rowaily to award Japan a penalty kick.
Rion Ichihara successfully converts the penalty, scoring against Thailand (Photo: AFC).
From the spot, Rion Ichihara confidently slotted the ball home, doubling Japan’s lead to 2-0.
The Japanese side didn’t stop there, adding a third goal in the second half despite slowing down their tempo.
In the 69th minute, Rei Umeki sprinted down the left flank and sent a cross to Ryunosuke Sato in the center. With no defenders around, Sato calmly finished the play, sealing a decisive 3-0 victory for U20 Japan.
This win places Japan’s youth team, coached by Yuzo Funakoshi, at the top of Group D with three points after the first round of matches. South Korea ranks second in the group, also with three points but trailing behind due to inferior goal difference.
U20 South Korea secured a 2-1 victory over U20 Syria earlier today. U20 Syria currently sits third in Group D, while U20 Thailand remains at the bottom of the standings.
Source link: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/theo-chan-indonesia-u20-thai-lan-thua-dam-tai-giai-chau-a-20250214184401204.htm
