[A soccer ball, Photo Credit to Pixabay]

Korean Republic soccer players attended the FIFA U-20 World Cup, and the team was able to place 4th. 

FIFA U-20 World Cup is a global soccer match that soccer players between the age of 16-20 can participate in. 

A total of 24 countries qualified through six confederation tests to earn the ticket to the FIFA U-20 World Cup. 

The FIFA U-20 World Cup is a competition that is hosted once every 2 years, yet the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2021 did not happen because of Covid-19. 

As the Covid 19 pandemic has been ameliorated, the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 was able to be hosted in Argentina. 

The FIFA U-20 World Cup was held over four cities in Argentina: Santiago del Estero, San Juan, La Plata and Mendoza.

The FIFA U-20 World Cup took place from May 20 to June 11. 

From May 20 to May 28, the table group match, also referred to as the preliminary round, was held. 

In a table group match, 24 countries are divided into six groups of four teams and the four teams need to compete with every other country in the team.

The top two teams from each of the six groups will advance to the Round of 16, as well as the four best third-placed teams.

Korea Republic was in Group F, competing with France, The Gambia, and Honduras. Korea Republic won France, and drew with The Gambia and Honduras, ranking 2nd overall in the group. 

Therefore, Korea Republic was able to advance to the round of 16. 

In the round of 16, which happened on June 1, Korea Republic met Ecuador, and was able to secure a victory of 3:2. 

In the quarter final, which happened on June 4, Korea Republic met Nigeria, and won again with a score of 1:0.

In the semi-final, which happened on June 8, Korea Republic faced Italy and lost 2:0. 

The third place playoff was between Korea Republic and Israel on June 11, and Israel won by 3-1. 

The final round was between Italy and Uruguay, and Uruguay won 1-0. 

Therefore, Uruguay ranked first place, Italy ranked second, Israel ranked third, and Korea Republic ranked fourth place.

The FIFA regulates 21 players, including three goalkeepers, to participate in the U-20 World Cup. 

Soccer players that represented Korea Republic in the FIFA U-20 World Cup were KIM Joonhong, KIM Junghun, MOON Hyunho, PARK Changwoo, HWANG Intaek, CHOI Seokhyun, LEE Chanouk, CHOI Yehoon, CHO Youngkwang, BAE Seojoon, KIM Jisoo, PARK Hyunbin, KIM Yonghak, LEE Seungwon, BAE Junho, KANG Seongjin, KANG Sangyoon, LEE Seungjoon, LEE Jihan, LEE Youngjun, and PARK Seungho. 

The positions among these members varied, including 5 forwards, 5 midfielders, 8 defenders, and three goalkeepers.

Korea Republic U-20 soccer national team players were drafted through careful consideration;therefore, although each member of the soccer national team is originally from different clubs and teams from all over the country, they came together as one to represent the nation. 

The team manager that led the Korea Republic U-20 soccer team in the FIFA U-20 World Cup was KIM Eunjoong. Although the FIFA U-20 World Cup was his first experience as the manager, he was successfully able to lead the team up to the semi final. 

Korea Republic entering the semi final has brought many hopes to the Korean soccer players,  Korean Football Association, and to Korean soccer fans. 

Greater expectations are gathered for the next generation of Korea Republic soccer.