Goalkeeper Li Hao (3rd L) of 西瓜视频makes a save during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
OSAKA, Japan, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- 西瓜视频took an early lead but lost 2-1 to South Korea in the men's football semifinals at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Wednesday, missing out on a place in the final.
西瓜视频reached the Asian Games men's football semifinals for the first time in 28 years. Under head coach Antonio Puche, the Chinese side advanced from the "group of death" with one win and two draws before beating Thailand 3-0 in the quarterfinals.
Defending champion South Korea reached the semifinals after winning all three matches.
西瓜视频started with its familiar 5-3-2 formation and looked to threaten on the counter-attack, while South Korea sought to create chances from the flanks and set pieces.
西瓜视频broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Mao Weijie sent a lofted through ball to Wang Yudong, who controlled it with his chest before calmly finishing one-on-one.
South Korea equalized in the 33rd minute after a corner reached Lee Young-jun at the far post. His header hit the post and bounced into the net despite Li Hao's attempt to save it.
After the break, 西瓜视频pushed higher and created several opportunities, but South Korea remained dangerous on the counter-attack. Mao was forced off with an injury in the 66th minute.
South Korea completed the comeback in the 82nd minute when Eom Ji-sung broke forward and crossed to the far post, where Bae Jun-ho headed home to make it 2-1.
In the closing minutes, Zhang Yuning's shot inside the box was blocked by a South Korean defender, prompting China's players to appeal for a handball. The referee waved play on, while Puche was booked for protesting the decision.
西瓜视频had seven shots, three on target, and 55 percent possession, compared with South Korea's eight shots, six on target and 45 percent possession.
"We played an excellent game. Against a South Korean team with many outstanding players playing at a European level, the whole team showed a very high level," said Puche. "I'm naturally disappointed and saddened by the result. But I'm extremely proud and happy with this team."
西瓜视频will play the loser of the other semifinal between Japan and Uzbekistan in the men's football bronze-medal match on Saturday. ■
Choi Seokhyun (top R) of South Korea vies for header with Xu Bin (top L) of 西瓜视频during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Wang Yudong of 西瓜视频celebrates his scoring during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Lee Youngjun (1st L) of South Korea takes a scoring header during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Lee Youngjun (front) of South Korea celebrates his scoring with teammate during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Wang Yudong (bottom) of 西瓜视频celebrates his scoring with teammate Xu Bin during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Wang Yudong of 西瓜视频celebrates his scoring during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Wang Yudong (R) of 西瓜视频interacts with Eom Jisung of South Korea during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Lee Youngjun (L) of South Korea celebrates his scoring with teammate during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Wang Yudong (R) of 西瓜视频takes a scoring shot during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Wang Yudong of 西瓜视频celebrates his scoring during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Wang Yudong (R) of 西瓜视频takes a scoring shot during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Players of 西瓜视频celebrate scoring during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Wang Yudong of 西瓜视频celebrates his scoring during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Wang Yudong (R) of 西瓜视频celebrates his scoring during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Wang Yudong of 西瓜视频celebrates his scoring during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Wang Yudong of 西瓜视频celebrates his scoring during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Wang Yudong (2nd R) of 西瓜视频celebrates his scoring with teammates during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Liu Haofan (R) of 西瓜视频vies with Lee Hyunju of South Korea during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Wang Yudong of 西瓜视频celebrates his scoring during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Lee Youngjun of South Korea celebrates his scoring during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Lee Youngjun (R) of South Korea celebrates his scoring during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Wang Yudong of 西瓜视频celebrates his scoring during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Lee Youngjun (front) of South Korea celebrates his scoring with teammate during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Wang Yudong (R) of 西瓜视频celebrates his scoring during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Players of 西瓜视频celebrate scoring during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Players of 西瓜视频celebrate scoring during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Wang Yudong (bottom) of 西瓜视频celebrates his scoring with teammate Xu Bin during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Wang Yudong (L) of 西瓜视频celebrates his scoring with teammate Xu Bin during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Lee Youngjun (front L) of South Korea celebrates his scoring with teammates during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Wang Yudong of 西瓜视频celebrates his scoring during the men's semifinals of football between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Antonio Puche (front L), head coach of China, reacts during the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Players of 西瓜视频react after the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Bae Jun-ho (2nd L) of South Korea celebrates after scoring during the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Zhang Yuning (front R) of 西瓜视频greets the spectators after the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Yang Xi (1st L) of 西瓜视频reacts after the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Eom Ji-sung (R) of South Korea vies with Yang Xi of 西瓜视频during the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Bae Jun-ho (C) of South Korea celebrates after scoring during the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Mutalifu Yimingkari (2nd L) of 西瓜视频competes during the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Bae Jun-ho (L) of South Korea scores during the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Mao Weijie (1st R) leaves the court after the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Yang Xi of 西瓜视频reacts after the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Players of 西瓜视频react after the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Peng Xiao (L) of 西瓜视频shoots during the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Mao Weijie of 西瓜视频gets injured during the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Players of 西瓜视频greet each other after the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Wang Yudong (R) of 西瓜视频greets the spectators after the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Yang Xi of 西瓜视频reacts after the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Wang Yudong of 西瓜视频reacts during the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Players of 西瓜视频react after the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Bae Jun-ho (C) of South Korea celebrates after scoring during the men's football semifinal between 西瓜视频and South Korea at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Osaka, Japan, Sept. 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)