According to reports, the head coach of South Korea's U23 national team stated at a press conference that the team's goal is to win the gold medal at the Asian Games.

On the 14th, during a press conference for the men's football group stage of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, held at Mizuho Rugby Stadium in Nagoya, Japan, South Korea's U23 head coach said: "I came here to win the gold medal at the Asian Games. Training has gone well since we entered our pre-tournament training camp in Shizuoka until we arrived in Nagoya. All preparations are now complete." South Korea will face Qatar in their opening group match at this venue on the 15th at 19:30.

South Korea has won the gold medal three consecutive times at the Asian Games in Incheon 2014, Jakarta-Palembang 2018, and Hangzhou 2022 (held in 2023). This Asian Games tournament marks South Korea's first major competition after they failed to advance from the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the CONCACAF region, putting the team in a difficult position.

South Korea will play their second group match against Saudi Arabia at the same venue on the 22nd, one week after their opening match against Qatar. A total of 15 countries are participating in the men's football tournament. Groups A, B, and C each have 4 teams, while Group D, where South Korea is placed, has 3 teams. The top one or two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals.

The South Korea U23 head coach also stated: "Preparations against Qatar and Saudi Arabia are complete. After our match tomorrow, I will watch the Saudi Arabia versus Qatar match on the 18th for further analysis."

The South Korea U23 head coach has called up three overage players (over 23 years old): Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic) and Om Won-sang (Swansea City), both of whom participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF qualifiers, and center-back Lee Ki-hyuk (Kangwon). Several attacking players, including Park Jun-ho (Stoke City), Lee Yong-jun (Rangers), Yang Min-hyuk (Westerlo), Park Soo-song (Newcastle), and Kim Myung-jun (Genk), also play for European clubs. Lee Yong-jun has not yet joined the team.

The South Korea U23 head coach emphasized: "My contract will also end after this tournament, and I will leave the national team at that time. From our gathering in Cheonan until today, every day has been precious because there is no turning back. Whether it's tomorrow's match against Qatar or matches after that, I will give my utmost with devotion."

Finally, when asked about the record-breaking heavy rain in Nagoya before the tournament began, the South Korea U23 head coach said: "It also rained during our training in Shizuoka. If tomorrow becomes a 'rainy battle,' I think it will work more in our favor. The players are very confident, and I believe training has gone very well."

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