On October 3rd, in the men's football final of the 2026 Asian Games, South Korea defeated Japan 1-0 with a goal from Ahn Jee-sung, securing the gold medal and achieving four consecutive men's football gold medals at the Asian Games. The moment the final whistle blew, South Korean players could not contain their emotions, with many shedding tears of joy, and Coach Lee Min-seong wiping away tears on the sideline.

After the match, South Korean players collapsed on the pitch, some covering their faces as they cried, while others embraced teammates to share their joy. Following the intense final, when the whistle sounded, the pressure they had carried was finally released.

On the sideline, Coach Lee Min-seong was similarly overcome with emotion. He embraced his coaching staff to celebrate, his eyes red, unable to hide his joy at the championship. For the South Korean national team, which has reached the Asian Games men's football final at four consecutive tournaments, this gold medal represented not only defending their title but also achieving their pre-tournament objective once again.

South Korea's four consecutive men's football gold medals at the Asian Games began at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. At that tournament, South Korea defeated North Korea 1-0 after extra time, winning their first men's football gold medal in 28 years at the Asian Games.

At the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, South Korea defeated Japan 2-1 after extra time in the final, defending their title. At the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, South Korea again defeated Japan 2-1, achieving their third consecutive men's football gold medal.

At the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games, South Korea faced Japan again in the final and ultimately won 1-0, securing their fourth consecutive men's football gold medal at the Asian Games.

For these South Korean national team players, this gold medal held another special significance. According to South Korean military service regulations, athletes who win a gold medal at the Asian Games and have not yet completed their mandatory military service are eligible for military service exemption (athletes receiving this exemption are excused from the standard 18-21 months of barracks service). Therefore, with the exception of a small number of players who have already completed their service, eligible South Korean national team players would be exempt from military service.

AI翻訳。

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