The national under-20 men's soccer team on Feb. 23 celebrates after beating Uzbekistan in the quarterfinals of the U-20 Asian Cup at Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch in Shenzhen, China. (Korea Football Association)

By Park Hye Ri

The national under-20 (U-20) men's soccer team is in the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation's U-20 Asian Cup after an overtime win over Uzbekistan.

Led by head coach Lee Chang-won, the Taegeuk Warriors on Feb. 23 won a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals at Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base in Shenzhen, China.

Uzbekistan struck first on the scoreboard but defender Shin Min-ha scored goals in the 26th and 56th minutes. Striker Kim Tae-won added a third in the 61st for a 3-1 lead.

But Uzbekistan tied the score, 3-3, late in the second half with two late goals, and extra time saw no scoring. Goalkeeper Hong Seong-min blocked Uzbekistan's first and fourth tries for a 3-1 penalty shootout win.

The win also gave Korea its fourth straight berth in the FIFA U20 World Cup, which is slated for September in Chile.

Winning Group D of this tournament with two wins and a draw for seven points, Korea on Feb. 26 faces Saudi Arabia in the semifinal.

hrhr@korea.kr