The men's national soccer team on Sept. 15 routed Qatar, 4-1, in their opening Group D game of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Mizuho Park Rugby Stadium in Nagoya, Japan. Shown is Eom Ji-sung celebrating his hat trick. (Korea Football Association)

By Oh Jung Eun

The men's national soccer team has opened the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan with a resounding victory.

Led by head coach Lee Min-sung, the Taegeuk Warriors on Sept. 15 beat Qatar, 4-1, in their opening Group D game at Mizuho Park Rugby Stadium in Nagoya. Fifteen countries divided into four groups are participating in the tournament.

Korea opened the scoring in the seventh minute as striker Eom Ji-sung took a long pass from center back Kim Ji-soo, penetrated the defense and fired a left-footed shot into the net. Thirteen minutes later, Eom scored again from the center of the penalty area after capitalizing on a defender's mistake.

The Swansea City striker completed his hat trick in first-half stoppage time, converting a pass from midfielder Lee Seung-won.

In the 66th minute, striker Kim Myeong-jun added a fourth goal with an assist from winger Yang Hyun-jun.

Qatar finally scored with Marwan Sherif's goal in the 85th minute.

Korea has won the Asiad's men's soccer title three consecutive times -- 2014 in Incheon, 2018 in Jakarta-Palembang, Indonesia, and 2022 in Hangzhou, China.

Earning three points from its opening win, Korea faces Saudi Arabia on Sept. 22 in its second group game at the same Nagoya venue.

cloveroh@korea.kr