Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2023, South Korea vs Japan Highlights: Korea edge past Japan 2-1

That is all from us of this match. But we are not going anywhere. Follow us for the next match as Malaysia take on Pakistan in another important encounter. The match starts in a few minutes.

Man of the Match

Hero of the Match: Junghwyan Yung (Korea)

Match Awards

Dafanews Best Young Player: Ryoma Ooka (Japan)

Match Stats

Here are the match stats from the Game 1 of the Asian Champions Trophy 2023 between South Korea and Japan. Japan had three players yellow carded, and despite a slight more possession, they failed to get a result.

Full Time: South Korea 2 Japan 1

The first match is done and dusted. Defending Champions South Korea have started with a 2-1 victory over Japan in the first match of the tournament. The Korean side were trailing 1-0 after an early Ryomi Ooka goal, but they rallied back with goals in the 2nd and 3rd quarter to snatch a slender victory.

LIVE Score: KOR 2 JAP 1 (Q4)

Three minutes to go in the match. Japan are huffing and puffing but have failed to make any significant damage to their neighbours in the final stages of the final quarter.

Shota Yamada yellow carded

Shota Yamada is given a Yellow Card. And with just five minutes remaining, that effectively keeps him out of the game. Japan are struggling to make a circle entry as Korea are showcasing elite defensive prowess.

Japan coach Akira Takahashi will be thinking about going all-attack now. Just five minutes to go and Korea have been excellent in the last few minutes. They have shut the door completely.

Korea 2 Japan 1 - 10 minutes to go

We are just ten minutes away from the end and Japan will have to keep on pushing. Tey have done well so far in this match but have been wayward in front of goal. But it is just a goal and can turn around in a jiffy.

Seren Tanaka Yellow Card!

Seren Tanaka gets a Yellow. The Japan captain will have to sit out for at least five minutes, after his foul on the Korean player in an attempt to win the ball. Huge blow for Japan.

Frantic play at the Korean cirle area. Excellent move by Japan but they fail to score as the Korean keeper was out of his line in a flash to deny them.

Korea vs Japan - 4th Quarter Starts

The final 15 minutes of this match as Japan push for a winner. Korea, on the other hand, have looked assured and will be aiming to double their advantage.

Korea 2 Japan 1 - 3rd Quarter Ends

And Japan have made a horrible effort in the PC. They lost the ball and had to retreat to defend Korea's counter attack, but Korea decide not to do that. The hooter buzzes and Korea still lead 2-1 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

Penalty Corner for Japan

Japan get a penalty corner. Seren Tanaka played excellently again but Japan should have scored there, but they will have to settle with a PC.

Japan come close - KOR 2 JAP 1 (Q3)

Kentaro Fukuda pulled the ball for Ryoma Ooka, but the Korean keeper does enough to push Seren Tanaka away from goal, and the Japan skipper in the end hits it wide. Japan are getting chances in this quarter but are yet to take them.

What a Save by Yoshikawa

That is an excellent bit of play. Sung Hyun Kim turned superbly and then took a terrific shot, but Takashi Yoshikawa makes a terrific save to deny the Korean player.

Japan referral denied

Japan referral for a Korean foot inside the circle. The Video Assistant Referee checks it and has given it in favour of Korea as there was no advise possible. Japan keep their referral.

KOR 2 JAP 1 (Q3)

We are halfway through in the 3rd quarter and it is South Korea who have the lead. Japan, to their credit, have improved in possession significantly, but they have failed to capitalize despite many circle entries.

Japan concede poor goal

All the early pressure from Japan has evaporated with the mistake. It was Kawahara who made the mistake for Japan that led to the Korean goal.

South Korea vs Japan LIVE Score: KOR 2 JAP 1 (Q3)

Goaaal!! Jang Jong Hyun wins the ball for Korea and then a Japan mistake in defence sees Jung Hu Kim scores for Korea to give them the lead.

South Korea saved by Kim Jae again

Japan denied by the feet of the Korean keeper. It was a good chance for them to take the lead in the early stages of the 3rd quarter.

Korea vs Japan LIVE Updates

South Korea will be hoping to pounce in the 2nd half. They have the momentum now and will be aiming to take the lead. For Jaan, they need more cohesion and composure with the ball.

Half Time: Korea 1 Japan 1

At Half Time, the teams are level. Korea scored the equalizer as Jang Jong Hyun played a huge part in that as usual. Japan will have to find a way to keep hold of the ball more. All to play for as we head into the break in Chennai.

Manjae Jung gets a Green Card

An unnecessary Green Card for Manjae Jung. Such an important Korean player will now have to sit out for his poor mistake. Korea 1 Japan 1 as we are just a minute away from Half Time.

Korea equalize - KOR 1 JAP 1 (26')

Goaaaal!! Korea have equalized. Jang Jong Hyun with the pass and Cho Park scores the goal to restore parity. And it has to be sad that the Koreans deserve it for the way they have played.

Ooka with some stick show

Ryoma Ooka makes a fantastic run on the left-hand side. The attacker showed some nice stick skills to evade to Korean defenders but eventually runs out of gas.

KOR 0 JAP 1 (24')

Raiki Fujishima will have to sit out 5 minutes at the dug out after the Yellow Card. Meanwhile Korea are lackluster again in front of goal as they fail to score.

Yellow Card for Fujishima

Ken Nagayoshi's drag flick has hit straight on the leg of a Korean player. A yellow card shown to Fujishima. The Japan player swung his stick so wildly.

Penalty Corner for Japan

Penalty Corner for Japan. Good play from Takuma and the ball hits a Korean body.

Korea struggling in defense

Japan again threatening with another speedy attack. Korea are struggling whenever Japan are coming forward. It is alarming for them and they will have to settle down.