A narrow victory over Guangdong Mingtou, Incheon United confidently claims the top spot

Reported from Dingnan, Jiangxi by Zuo Ruifa In the sixth round of the inaugural "462 Cup" China-Korea Youth Football Elite Challenge on the 17th, Incheon United beat the strong Chinese team Guangdong Mingtou 1-0 and rose to the top of the points table with 17 points. After the game, Mingtou’s coach Yang Junhao stated that the opponent’s overall performance “was more deserving of victory.”

Since both teams had 14 points before the game, Guangdong Mingtou was placed third only because of a lower goal difference. Knowing the strength of their opponents, Incheon United stuck to their rotation plan, keeping Korean youth internationals No. 24 Kim Heoran and No. 14 Liu Can Yong, as well as key striker Huangfu Taixiang, on the bench. No. 19 Lee Yoojun started as captain for the second time.

In the first half, Incheon United controlled the match with more patient organization and more precise passing. Although they managed only two shots in the first 15 minutes, they created a decisive chance in the 37th minute inside Mingtou’s penalty area. Lee Ji-won and Lee Qianyang combined down the left; the latter was fouled in the box, and Lee Yoojun successfully converted the penalty kick. The score was 1-0. At the 40th minute, Lee Yoojun headed a cross from the left but missed a chance to extend the lead against the goalkeeper.

At halftime, Yang Junhao urged Mingtou’s players to overcome their passive situation, saying, “If we want to win, we must play faster and with more aggression.” Incheon United calmly controlled the game’s rhythm and limited Mingtou’s high pressing. Without continuous pressure, it would be difficult to equalize, “so we must show fighting spirit.”

In the second half, Mingtou showed a clear improvement in spirit and performance, even putting their opponents under pressure at times. However, even when forced errors occurred, Incheon United regained control through timely defensive coverage. Despite Mingtou’s desperate counterattacks missing two scoring chances, Incheon completed the match as a war of attrition by substituting seven starters through three changes.

After losing this match, some Mingtou players left the field in tears. The coaching staff praised the team’s second-half effort and encouraged players to keep striving. “We played more aggressively in the second half, but the players were physically and mentally fatigued; they gave their best,” Yang Junhao said. “Overall, the opponents deserved to win.”

Meanwhile, in another China-Korea showdown, Seongnam FC suffered a heavy 1-4 defeat against Evergrande Football School. This made Incheon United the only undefeated team in the group stage of the first phase. So far, they have beaten five Chinese teams and drew 4-4 with Evergrande Football School, winning on penalties. Incheon United’s head coach Mida Park said they are preparing as usual for the last two rounds, hoping to maintain their current scoring momentum and perform even better.

“We played well in the first half, but in the second half, under increased pressure, the players were not well-prepared and reacted too slowly. This is something we need to improve in upcoming training and matches,” said Mida Park. He explained that the reason for not fielding Liu Can Yong and Huangfu Taixiang was to preserve their energy for the final two matches.