The South Korea national under-23 football team (Korean: 대한민국 23세 이하 축구 국가대표팀; recognized as Korea Republic by FIFA, and Republic of Korea by IOC) represents South Korea at football in the Olympic Games and Asian Games. It was founded when the Olympic football was changed to an under-23 competition. It also can be managed as under-21 or under-22 team if necessary.

History

London Generation (2012)

Under the manager Hong Myung-bo, the South Korean under-23 team participated at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. In the group stage, South Korea qualified for the quarter-finals as runners-up of their group by beating Switzerland 2–1 and drawing with Mexico and Gabon in two goalless matches. In the quarter-finals, South Korea met the host Great Britain, formed for the first time in the Olympic football since 1960. South Korean forward Ji Dong-won scored the opening goal, but British midfielder Aaron Ramsey scored a penalty equaliser. Ramsey once again had a penalty chance four minutes after his penalty goal, but South Korea's over-aged goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong blocked it this time. However, Jung was injured in a collision with Micah Richards in the middle of the second half, and was replaced by Lee Bum-young. Nevertheless, Lee did not concede a goal until the end of extra time, and made a save from the shot of Britain's fifth kicker Daniel Sturridge in the penalty shoot-out. South Korea beat Great Britain 5–4 on penalties and Lee was praised by finishing the game successfully, but the compliments turned to criticisms after the semi-finals. He conceded three goals against Brazil, failing to perform his role. After being eliminated by a 3–0 loss to Brazil, South Korea competed with their historical rival Japan for a bronze medal. Their over-aged striker Park Chu-young scored the opening goal with a solo effort against three Japanese defenders, and Koo Ja-cheol scored an additional goal, a decisive one for the victory. South Korea won their first-ever medal in Olympic football after defeating Japan 2–0, and the medalists were exempted from mandatory military service according to the laws of the country. They were called the "London Generation" in South Korea, and most of them played for the senior team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Recent results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win0   Draw0   Loss0   Fixture

2023

2024

All-time results

As of 20 November 2023

Coaching staff

Current personnel

As of 2 April 2024

Manager history

As of 25 April 2024

  Caretaker manager

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup in April 2024.

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to a South Korea under-23 squad within the last 12 months.

Overage players

Football at the Summer Olympics and the Asian Games have required that under-23 players enter the competitions, but they have allowed three overage players can be included in one squad. These three players are called the "Wild cards" in South Korea. According to South Korean laws, Olympic medalists and Asian Games gold medalists can be exempted from the military service, and so top-level players also compete for wild cards.

Records

Statistics below are from matches which the KFA consider as official including non-international matches (against clubs, regional teams, and other KFA teams).

Most appearances

As of 13 August 2016

Top goalscorers

As of 7 October 2023

Competitive record

  Champions0   Runners-up0   Third place0   Tournament played on home soil

Summer Olympics

Football at the Summer Olympics was a senior tournament until 1988.

AFC U-23 Asian Cup

Asian Games

Football at the Asian Games was a senior tournament until 1998.

Other competitions

Honours

Intercontinental

• Summer Olympics

Bronze medalists: 2012

Continental

• AFC U-23 Asian Cup

Champions: 2020

Runners-up: 2016

• Asian Games

Gold medalists: 2014, 2018, 2022

Bronze medalists: 2002, 2010

Regional

• WAFF U-23 Championship

Champions: 2024

Minor competitions

• Dunhill Cup Vietnam: 1999
• Four Nations Tournament: 2000 (Australia), 2003 (South Africa)
• Qatar International Friendship Tournament: 2005, 2023
• King's Cup: 2012, 2015

Other awards

• AFC National Team of the Year: 2012

See also

• Football in South Korea
• Korea Football Association
• South Korea national football team
• South Korea national football B team
• South Korea national under-20 football team
• South Korea national under-17 football team
• South Korea women's national football team

Notes

References

External links

• Official website, KFA.or.kr (in English)

Articles connexes

1. Vietnam national under-23 football team
2. Indonesia national under-23 football team
3. Uzbekistan national under-23 football team
4. North Korea national under-23 football team
5. Malaysia national under-23 football team
6. Iraq national under-23 football team
7. South Korea national under-20 football team
8. Thailand national under-23 football team
9. Japan national under-23 football team
10. South Korea national football team
11. Saudi Arabia national under-23 football team
12. South Korea national under-23 football team results
13. South Korea national under-17 football team
14. Qatar national under-23 football team
15. Tajikistan national under-23 football team
16. China national under-23 football team
17. Australia men's national under-23 soccer team
18. Kuwait national under-23 football team
19. Brazil national under-23 football team
20. Iran national under-23 football team