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S. Korean U-19 football team returns home with youth World Cup berth in bags

November 5, 2018

SEOUL, Nov. 6 (Yonhap) — The South Korean men’s under-19 football team returned home from a regional competition on Tuesday, having clinched a spot at next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Coached by Chung Jung-yong, South Korea finished second to Saudi Arabia at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-19 Championship, which concluded in Indonesia on Sunday.

Despite losing to Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the final, South Korea qualified for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland. The top four nations from the AFC event were granted spots there.

South Korea hosted the 2017 U-20 World Cup, and the young Taeguk Warriors have played at 14 previous tournaments. The country’s best performance is a fourth-place finish in 1983 in Mexico.

In this photo provided by the Asian Football Confederation, Cho Young-wook of South Korea carries the ball to the penalty spot after drawing the spot kick against Saudi Arabia during the final of the AFC U-19 Championship at Pakansari Stadium in Cibinong, Indonesia, on Nov. 4, 2018. (Yonhap)

In this photo provided by the Asian Football Confederation, Cho Young-wook of South Korea carries the ball to the penalty spot after drawing the spot kick against Saudi Arabia during the final of the AFC U-19 Championship at Pakansari Stadium in Cibinong, Indonesia, on Nov. 4, 2018. (Yonhap)