Japan U17’s controversial goal against South Korea from an incorrectly placed free kick has been nominated as the best goal of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U17 Asian Cup.
The AFC opened voting for the Best Goal of the Tournament on its website today (June 6) with eight nominees.
Among the nominees was Japan’s Gaku Nawata’s goal against South Korea in the final on June 2.
In the 44th minute, Korea’s Ko Jong-hyun (Matango) fouled Japan’s Michiwaki Yukata, resulting in a free kick, which Gaku stepped up to take, scoring the first and final goal of the match.
Go Jong-hyun was sent off for a second bookable offense for this foul, and it was a costly mistake for South Korea. Depending on how you look at it, it could have been a fair play.
The location of the free kick was also controversial. It was moved about 7-8 meters forward from where Ko Jong-hyun fouled, making the shot more threatening. Korean soccer fans were outraged by the unfair positioning of the free kick. Even Korean Football Association (KFA) officials on the field protested. But the call didn’t change. 토토사이트
South Korea conceded two more goals after the goal and lost 0-3.
“It was an important goal and a great free kick that gave Japan the win,” said AFC. It was a great trajectory that Korea’s goalkeeper Hong Sung-min (Pohang Steel) could not stop even with his outstretched hands.”
Gaku’s goal is in second place with 25 percent of the vote in the midterm tally.
Among the eight nominees is South Korea’s Baek In-woo (Yongin Football Center U18). Baek scored the game-winning goal in the 31st minute of the quarterfinals against Uzbekistan on a low free kick. Baek’s goal received 8% of the votes.