Hwang Seon-Hong’s (Stuttgart) bid to win the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games was spearheaded by Jung Woo-Young (Stuttgart), who came out of nowhere to kick off the match against Uzbekistan.

Jung scored two goals in the first half of the men’s football quarter-final against Uzbekistan at the Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, on Thursday afternoon.

After taking a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute through Jasurbek Zalolidinov, Hwang held on to a 2-1 lead before the end of the first half to secure the victory thanks to Jung’s multi-goal performance.

Having done his part in the first half, Jung Woo-young left the field in the 14th minute of the second half in favour of central midfielder Jung Ho-yeon (Gwangju).

The match was seen as the ‘biggest test’ in Hwang’s quest for a third consecutive tournament victory, but thanks to Jung Woo-young’s performance, the team managed to avoid any major setbacks.

After defeating Uzbekistan, Hwang will face Japan for the gold medal at 9pm local time on 7 July.

With five goals by the end of the day, Jung has moved into a tie with Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Maran for sole possession of the top scoring spot.

He is now two goals away from equalling the record set by striker Hwang Eui-jo (Norwich City) at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, when he scored nine goals for Kim Hak-Bum Ho. Hwang’s nine-goal outburst made him the tournament’s top scorer.

Korea has had a top scorer in men’s football at the Asian Games on three previous occasions, including Hwang Ui-jo.

Seniors such as Seo Won-jung in 1990 (four goals) and Hwang Sun-hong in 1994 (11 goals) have been crowned top scorers, raising the prospect of Chung Woo-young becoming the fourth to claim the honour.

After exploding for three goals in the first match of the tournament against Kuwait on 19 March, Jung Woo-young was at it again on Sunday, finishing off Hwang Sun-hong’s attacks twice with his trademark diligence.

Jung’s first goal came just five minutes into the match.

From a free-kick, Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Hong Hyun-seok (Ghent) and Uhm Won-sang (Ulsan) combined to deliver a precise cross to the feet of Jung Woo-young, who rushed into the box and slotted home to put Uzbekistan ahead.

Even when the team was in trouble, Jung Woo-young stepped up.

In the 26th minute, he took advantage of a free kick awarded by a foul on captain Baek Seung-ho (Jeonbuk) to rattle the Korean net with a sharp left-footed shot.

Uzbekistan, revitalised by the momentum, pressured Korea’s players in all areas of the pitch with rough physicality, and the game went into a lull.

Jung Woo-young once again turned the tide with his exquisite positioning and concentration.

In the 38th minute, while struggling with Lee Han-beom (Meatwillan) in the penalty area, Saidazamat Mirsaydov and Asadbek Rakhimzhonov missed a player who rushed into the box.

It was Jung Woo-young.

He appeared on the doorstep, and once again, he made no effort, simply slotting the ball home to complete his multi-goal haul.

Jung Woo-young is wearing the number 7 in the tournament.

It is the number of Son Heung-min (Tottenham), an iconic Korean footballer and ace of the A team. 안전놀이터