A point was gained, but a lot was lost.

The South Korea U-20 football team drew 2-2 with Honduras in their second match of Group F at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, Argentina on Saturday (June 26).

South Korea fell behind 0-2 after conceding back-to-back goals to Honduras in the first and second half. In the second half, Kim Yong-hak and Park Seung-ho scored back-to-back goals to tie the game at 2-2.

Considering that Honduras was categorized as the weakest team in Group F, a draw was certainly a disappointing result. It’s even more disappointing that they had to settle for a draw after being outnumbered by David Ochoa’s sending off midway through the first half. They still have a good chance of qualifying for the Round of 16 with a point, but there was too much to lose against Honduras.

South Korea lost Park Seung-ho, who scored the equalizer against Honduras, to a right foot injury. He was substituted for Bae Joon-ho in the 53rd minute, then scored in the 62nd minute and was replaced by Lee Seung-jun three minutes later in the 65th minute.

To add insult to injury, key defender Choi Seok-hyun was sent off for accumulating cautions, which he picked up in the 80th minute and again in stoppage time after clearing a Honduran counterattack.

Starting goalkeeper Kim Jun-hong was cautioned for delay of game in the second half of stoppage time. He had been cautioned in the previous match against France for a questionable decision, so it was the second straight game he was suspended for the Gambia.

The result was a disappointing 2-2 draw and the loss of Choi Seok-hyun and Kim Jun-hong. Park Seung-ho’s availability is also uncertain after suffering a foot injury.

South Korea’s final opponents, the Gambia, have already booked their spot in the round of 16 after beating both Honduras and France. With France, rated as the strongest team, not having any key players available, the Gambia will be the toughest opponent for South Korea right now 토토사이트.

In other words, South Korea will have to overcome the leakage of core power against the Gambia, the strongest opponent in Group F. At worst, a loss could jeopardize their chances of advancing to the round of 16, depending on the results of their games against France and Honduras.

For now, a win against the Gambia is the most obvious answer. At the very least, they should hope for a draw. A defeat would add to their case. It’s been a tough run, but they’ve done well, and now they need one last push.