In the Asian Games men's football final on October 3, South Korea defeated Japan 1-0 with a winning goal scored by Um Ji-sung in the 61st minute of the second half, securing their fourth consecutive Asian Games men's football gold medal. As one of the overage players for the South Korean team in this tournament, Um Ji-sung performed outstandingly, contributing 4 goals and 4 assists throughout the competition and scoring the crucial goal in the final to help the team clinch the championship.

In a post-match interview, Um Ji-sung spoke about his goal in the final and his experience at the Asian Games. He stated that the team was pressured by Japan at times, and he had been waiting for an opportunity to change the game, eventually seizing that chance. At the same time, he admitted that winning the Asian Games gold medal would be a memory he would never forget.

On October 3, in the Asian Games men's football final held at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, the South Korean men's football team defeated Japan to win the gold medal. After the match, Um Ji-sung smiled in the mixed zone and said, "It was a journey that was neither too long nor too short, and we ended it with the result we wanted. I am very grateful to my teammates and I want to tell everyone that they worked hard."

In the match against Japan that day, a 0-0 stalemate lasted until the 61st minute of the second half, when Um Ji-sung suddenly broke the deadlock, helping South Korea ultimately beat Japan 1-0 and win the gold medal.

With this goal, South Korea has maintained its Asian Games men's football champion status for four consecutive editions since the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

Facing a Japanese team composed entirely of U-21 players, South Korea was at a disadvantage on the field. Um Ji-sung received a cross from Yang Min-hyuk, broke free from his marker, and scored a spectacular goal.

Um Ji-sung recalled: "We kept losing the initiative in the game, so we were defending most of the time. I was just waiting for an opportunity. Thanks to my teammate who passed the ball so well, I got that chance."

He then added: "There were opportunities in the first half, but I couldn't capitalize on them due to the pitch conditions, so I told myself I had to seize the next one. When I scored, I think I slipped a bit because of the grass and then took the shot. Looking back, it must have been luck."

Um Ji-sung was born in 2002 and also participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics this year. In the Asian Games men's football tournament, where players were required to be under 23, he was selected as one of three overage players and took on a key role.

In this tournament, Um Ji-sung contributed 4 goals and 4 assists, leading all players in both categories.

Although the Asian Games does not award individual honours, judged solely on his football performance, he undoubtedly performed well enough to contend for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

When asked about the pressure of participating as an overage player, Um Ji-sung said: "It's impossible to say there was no pressure at all as an overage player. However, I believe one should naturally accept and face this pressure, and then do what one can do best."

"My teammates also helped me a lot because of this. In such an environment, I did what I could, and that's why we ultimately achieved a good result."

Regarding his performance in the final, he said: "In the first half today, we were a bit disoriented due to the opponent's rhythm and pitch conditions. But compared to the match situation, the most important thing was to bring back the result, so I told myself I had to score or assist, and I constantly adjusted myself mentally."

"Normally, I might have lost confidence due to poor form, but it was precisely because I reminded myself of this that I was able to finish the game well."

Um Ji-sung described this Asian Games journey, where he played a key role and achieved excellent results, as: "This is a memory I will never forget in my football career."

He also said: "Thinking that I won't be able to reunite with this group of teammates, train, and play together again, I feel a little sad. However, we have achieved our goal, so even if we meet again in the future, I think we can talk about this experience with smiles and joy."

With the gold medal won at the Asian Games, Um Ji-sung also received military service exemption benefits, laying the foundation for him to continue his career in Europe.

Before participating in the Asian Games, he also performed well at his club in the early part of the 2024-25 season, making 6 appearances and contributing 2 goals and 2 assists.

Um Ji-sung emphasized: "Rather than saying I was thinking about military service, all of us gathered together for the goal of a gold medal, so I am very happy to have achieved this result."

"As for my future career, it depends on what I do. Now I will return to the club and do the work that matches my position."

He also stated: "Currently, my club is ranked first in the EFL Championship. For me, this means a new competition has begun."

"Today, I will enjoy the joy of victory for a while, and after returning, I will continue to hold myself to professional standards and give my all again."

After the match, Um Ji-sung celebrated with his teammates, holding the Taegukgi for photos, and at one point suddenly ran forward and jumped.

He laughed about this, saying: "Actually, this is not my usual style, but I was just so happy at the time that I wanted to try it."

"Perhaps it was because I was so happy that I wanted to express that feeling."

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