Day: October 4, 2023

When you’re hot, you’re hot.

VfB Stuttgart attacker Jeong Woo-yeong scored a pair to help South Korea get past Uzbekistan 2-1 in the semifinals of the Asian Games men’s football tournament in Hangzhou, China, on Wednesday. South Korea now sit a win away from winning their third straight gold medal, with Japan standing in the way to the top of the podium.

With two goals against Uzbekistan at Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium, Jeong now leads the competition with seven goals in six contests.

Jeong Woo-yeong of South Korea celebrates after scoring against Uzbekistan during the teams’ semifinals match of the men’s football tournament at Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

Jeong Woo-yeong of South Korea celebrates after scoring against Uzbekistan during the teams’ semifinals match of the men’s football tournament at Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

Jeong will most likely finish the tournament as the top scorer. His closest pursuer, Mohammed Maran of Saudi Arabia, is already out of the tournament. Among the players still alive in the competition, three South Koreans, Hong Hyun-seok, Paik Seung-ho and Cho Young-wook, have three goals apiece. Kotaro Uchino of Japan also has three.

Three South Korean players before Jeong have led the Asian Games in goals, including Jeong’s head coach in Hangzhou, Hwang Sun-hong.

Jeong opened his tournament with a hat trick against Kuwait on Sept. 19 and hasn’t looked back since.

Against Uzbekistan, Jeong used his smart positioning and industrious off-ball movements to find the right spots at the right time.

Jeong Woo-yeong of South Korea celebrates after scoring against Uzbekistan during the teams’ semifinals match of the men’s football tournament at Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

Jeong Woo-yeong of South Korea celebrates after scoring against Uzbekistan during the teams’ semifinals match of the men’s football tournament at Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

On Jeong’s first goal, midfielder Lee Kang-in fooled defenders with a fake shot off a free kick and instead passed the ball to Um Won-sang speeding down the right side of the box. Um centered the ball to Jeong, who got himself open behind the defense for an easy goal.

The second goal, which broke a 1-1 deadlock, might have been even easier, as he took advantage of some shaky defending by Uzbekistan. Due to apparent miscommunication, Saidazamat Mirsaidov and Asadbek Rakhimzhonov both failed to clear a loose ball out of harm’s way, hanging goalkeeper Vladimir Nazarov out to dry. Jeong came out of nowhere to pounce on the ball and rolled it into the net.

South Korea hung on for the narrow lead Jeong provided. Jeong’s two goals came on the only two shots on target that South Korea had in this match.

Jeong Woo-yeong of South Korea (2nd from R) attempts a shot against Uzbekistan during the teams’ semifinals match of the men’s football tournament at Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

Jeong Woo-yeong of South Korea (2nd from R) attempts a shot against Uzbekistan during the teams’ semifinals match of the men’s football tournament at Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

Source: Yonhap News Agency

At the final of the men’s high jump at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium during the 19th Asian Games on Wednesday, only two athletes were left for the height of 2.33 meters: Woo Sang-hyeok of South Korea and Mutaz Barshim of Qatar.

They were the only two jumpers who have cleared every height in a single attempt to reach the final height.

After completing the 2.33m bar, the two tried 2.35m, where the Qatari outclassed the South Korean.

All spotlights were on the head-to-head of the world-class jumpers, who have frequently shared the podiums at international track and field competitions in recent years.

Woo Sang-hyeok of South Korea (L) and Mutaz Barshim of Qatar bite their medals after the men’s high jump final at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, during the 19th Asian Games on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

Woo Sang-hyeok of South Korea (L) and Mutaz Barshim of Qatar bite their medals after the men’s high jump final at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, during the 19th Asian Games on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

“When I was younger, Barshim was my hero. I thought a lot about whether I could be in a position to compete with him,” Woo told reporters at the mixed zone. “It’s such an honor that I can try for the same height with him at every competition.”

The two vied for gold at the 2022 World Athletics Championships held in Eugene, Oregon, where Barshim cleared 2.37m for gold and Woo finished at 2.35m for silver. The two had such game-closing attempts several times in Diamond League competitions throughout the season, with Barshim leading the head-to-head 10-2.

The one-sided results repeated at this year’s Asian Games, as Barshim won his third Asiad champion crown and Woo took his second silver.

Woo Sang-hyeok (L) of South Korea and Mutaz Barshim of Qatar high-five after the men’s high jump final at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, during the 19th Asian Games on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

Woo Sang-hyeok (L) of South Korea and Mutaz Barshim of Qatar high-five after the men’s high jump final at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, during the 19th Asian Games on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

But the 27-year-old South Korean, nicknamed “smile jumper” for his huge smiles before and after attempts, said he is not dissatisfied with the losses to the Qatari, a three-time world champion and 2021 Olympic gold medalist, but enjoys the rivalry with his longtime hero.

“He fuels my competitive spirit. I think I engage in good-natured competition with him, and that helps me grow,” he said. “Thanks to him, I’m happy to enjoy high jump much better.”

Moreover, Woo said the neck-and-neck duel in Hangzhou made his second silver medal far brighter than the one he earned five years ago at the 2018 Asiad, when he was an up-and-comer.

“At that time, I forced myself to run. I felt pressure every time I jumped even though I loved high jump,” he said. “Now, I’m enjoying this sport, and I’m happy to jump.”

Now, he is targeting the Paris Olympics next year, expecting to repeat another last-minute contest with the Qatari and break his personal best of 2.35m outdoors.

In the final at the Hangzhou Asiad, he tried 2.37m to get a slim chance for a come-from-behind victory but failed to jump over it.

“I’ll take on 2.38m and 2.40m. I’ve tried 2.36m and 2.37m about 40 times,” he said. “If I keep trying, I think I’ll get there.”

Source: Yonhap News Agency

South Korea’s high jumper Woo Sang-hyeok won his second consecutive silver at the 19th Asian Games on Wednesday, falling to Olympic gold medalist Mutaz Barshim of Qatar.

He jumped 2.33 meters to finish second after the Qatari, who cleared 2.35m for his third Asiad title, in the men’s high jump final at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou.

It is Woo’s second straight silver in the sport at Asian Games and South Korea’s first high jump gold since 2002, when Lee Jin-taek won the title.

Woo Sang-hyeok of South Korea (L) and Mutaz Barshim of Qatar greet each other after the men’s high jump final at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, during the 19th Asian Games on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

Woo Sang-hyeok of South Korea (L) and Mutaz Barshim of Qatar greet each other after the men’s high jump final at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, during the 19th Asian Games on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

The bronze medal went to Tomohiro Shinno of Japan, jumping 2.29m.

Another South Korean high jumper, Choi Jin-woo, finished 10th after failing to jump over 2.19m in three attempts.

Woo was slightly behind his outdoor personal best of 2.35m set in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and in the 2021 World Championships.

Woo Sang-hyeok of South Korea competes in the men’s high jump final at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, during the 19th Asian Games on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

Woo Sang-hyeok of South Korea competes in the men’s high jump final at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, during the 19th Asian Games on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

In the final, Woo cleared his first four heights of 2.15m, 2.19m and 2.23m on first tries.

He also needed one attempt to clear 2.26m, with a few jumpers knocked out early.

With Woo and four other jumpers remaining for 2.29m, Woo cleared the height with room to spare in his first attempt.

At 2.31m, the medalists left and competed for colors.

Woo jumped over it in his first attempt, and Barshim also did so, while Shinno failed to clear the bar and finished third.

The two dueled when the bar was raised to 2.33m, where both of them jumped on their first tries.

At 2.33m, Woo failed to clear it in his first attempt, while Barshim went over the bar in a single try.

For a final chance, Woo tried 2.37m, higher than his personal best, but could not get over it.

Barshim, who also attempted 2.37m but failed, won gold with 2.33m.

The Qatari, a three-time world champion and 2021 Olympic gold medalist, renewed the Asian Games record of 2.35m that he set at the 2014 Incheon Asiad.

Woo Sang-hyeok of South Korea reacts during the men’s high jump final at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, during the 19th Asian Games on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

Woo Sang-hyeok of South Korea reacts during the men’s high jump final at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, during the 19th Asian Games on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

Woo has been writing history in Korean athletics since finishing fourth at the Tokyo Olympics, the best performance by any Korean track and field athlete.

He became the first South Korean to win the indoor championship crown in 2022 and grab the silver medal at the World Athletics Championships the same year.

He was also the first Korean standing on the top of the podium at this year’s Diamond League Final.

This season, however, Woo, 27, has been experiencing ups and downs due to some heel problems and a sinus infection.

He took silver medals in a couple of Diamond League meets in May and June, but finished a disappointing sixth at the world championships in August.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

South Korea defeated Uzbekistan 2-1 in the semifinals of the Asian Games men’s football tournament in China on Wednesday, moving to the brink of their third straight gold medal.

VfB Stuttgart attacker Jeong Woo-yeong scored both South Korean goals to take the sole possession of the tournament lead with seven, and the young Taegeuk Warriors overcame some rough play by Uzbekistan at Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou.

Jeong Woo-yeong of South Korea celebrates after scoring against Uzbekistan during the teams’ semifinals match of the men’s football tournament at Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

Jeong Woo-yeong of South Korea celebrates after scoring against Uzbekistan during the teams’ semifinals match of the men’s football tournament at Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

South Korea will face Japan in the gold medal match Saturday, back at Huanglong.

South Korea scored their first goal just about five minutes into the contest. Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in faked taking a shot off a free kick just outside the box and instead sent a pass down the right wing to Um Won-sang.

Um then sent a cross to Jeong Woo-yeong, who got behind the defense to poke the ball home into the gaping net.

South Korea have now scored the first goal in all six matches they’ve played so far.

Uzbekistan drew level on 26 minutes, as Jasurbek Jaloliddinov scored a free kick goal from outside the box. The Uzbek captain’s left-footed shot hit a South Korean body and changed direction on its way to the net, as goalkeeper Lee Gwang-yeon failed to get his timing right.

Lee Kang-in of South Korea (R) tries to dribble past Ruslanbek Jiyanov of Uzbekistan during the teams’ semifinals match of the men’s football tournament at Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

Lee Kang-in of South Korea (R) tries to dribble past Ruslanbek Jiyanov of Uzbekistan during the teams’ semifinals match of the men’s football tournament at Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

Jeong then picked up his second goal in the 38th minute, as the beneficiary of some sloppy play by Uzbekistan.

Paik Seung-ho’s head pass from the left side of the box floated toward the goalmouth, but neither of the two Uzbek defenders in the vicinity, Saidazamat Mirsaidov and Asadbek Rakhimzhonov, cleared the ball away. With the goalkeeper, Vladimir Nazarov, stuck in his position, Jeong snuck behind everyone and rolled the ball home to put South Korea up 2-1.

Um Won-sang of South Korea (L) and Ibrokhimkhalil Yuldoshev of Uzbekistan battle for the ball during the teams’ semifinals match of the men’s football tournament at Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

Um Won-sang of South Korea (L) and Ibrokhimkhalil Yuldoshev of Uzbekistan battle for the ball during the teams’ semifinals match of the men’s football tournament at Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Oct. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)

Jaloliddinov took another free kick from outside the box in the 54th minute, but Lee Gwang-yeon was up to the task this time.

Uzbekistan kept playing some physical football in the second half, and it cost them in the 74th minute, with Abdurauf Buriev picking up his second yellow card of the match on a hard tackle on Cho Young-wook.

South Korea couldn’t capitalize on the extra space against the undermanned opponent, as they hung on for the one-goal win.

Source: Yonhap News Agency