EAFF E-1 Men: South Korea vs. China Preview

South Korea's men's team will kick off their EAFF E-1 Championship campaign against China at Yongin Mireu Stadium on Monday 7th July, looking to start strongly and regain the title they lost in 2022.
(Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images)

Overview & Match Information

Fixture: South Korea vs. China
Competition: EAFF E-1 Football Championship

Venue: Yongin Mireu Stadium, Yongin

Date: Monday 7th July 2025, 8:00 PM KST

The 2025 EAFF E-1 Championship will get underway on Monday 7th July, with host nation South Korea taking on China. South Korea's men's side are the most successful team in the competition's history with five titles overall, but last won the competition in 2019. China, meanwhile, have won the competition twice - 2005 and 2010 - and will be looking to put their World Cup qualification failures behind them and enjoy a successful EAFF. 

Recent Form

South Korea's recent form, albeit including many of their stars based outside of Asia, is decent. Three straight 1-1 draws (Palestine, Oman, Jordan) towards the end of World Cup qualification had begun to cause anxiety among the fan base, with the opportunity missed to grab an early pass to the group stage with wins on home soil. However, back-to-back wins with clean sheets sealed qualification and allowed Hong Myung-bo and his men to end on a high. The 2-0 away win over Iraq to seal qualification was then followed up by a 4-0 home win over Kuwait in what became more of a celebration and a chance for rotation.

As for China, four straight losses (Japan, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Indonesia) were followed up with a 1-0 home win over Bahrain. China managed just two goals from their last five matches and conceded seven. 

Head-to-Head

The most recent meetings between the two countries were in World Cup qualification, with South Korea winning both Group C matches, 3-0 in China in November 2023 and 1-0 at home in November 2024. Before that, it was the 2022 EAFF, with the Taeguk Warriors running out 3-0 winners. China's last win over South Korea was in March 2017 in qualification for the 2018 World Cup, winning 1-0.

Overall, there have been 37 previous encounters with South Korea winning 23, China just two, with 12 draws. In the EAFF, from 14 meetings, South Korea has nine wins, one for China, and four draws.

Via Transfermarkt

The Opposition

(Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)

What's the manager situation at the moment?

According to the official announcement from CFA, Dejan Đurđević is only the caretaker coach and is only responsible for the EAFF E-1. CFA has started a new stage of coaching selection, and the target is likely to be a young European coach. However, if there is no suitable candidate, it is not ruled out that Dejan Đurđević will be officially appointed as the head coach. The 58-year-old Serbian coach has coached the China U23, U20, and U19 national teams, participated in the U20 Asian Cup 2025 and Asian Games 2023, and may use more young Chinese players that he is familiar with.

What are China's expectations for this tournament? Could this be a way to make up for a disappointing World Cup qualification campaign?

Judging from recent media reports, Chinese fans and media do not have high expectations for the China national team's performance in E-1. Of course, defeating Hong Kong may be the only requirement, and as for the games against Japan and South Korea, it will be fine as long as they don't lose too badly.

Who are the team's key players in this tournament?

Among the 26 players on the China national team, the most noteworthy player is of course Wang Yudong. The 18-year-old Zhejiang FC striker has performed exceptionally well this season and is widely regarded as China's best striker after Wu Lei.

What will be the game plan against South Korea?

I believe that China should first focus on defense and use the tactics of defensive counterattack to see if they can break through South Korea's goal. If they can get a draw in the host's stadium, it will be a victory.

- Hot Pot Football's Paul Huang

China Squad

🇨🇳 The Chinese Men's National Football Team has unveiled its latest training squad ahead of the 2025 East Asian Cup in South Korea from July 7 to 15.

🌟19-year-old talent Kuai Jiwen has been selected for the Chinese men's national team for the first time. @goal2china pic.twitter.com/2WvmdSkzAL

— CGTN Sports Scene (@CGTNSportsScene) June 30, 2025

Who to Watch

Players in the Taeguk Warriors' problem areas, or areas on the pitch that aren't nailed down by some of the Europe-based stars, may be seen as up for grabs for the World Cup next summer. Who starts at full back and can impress will be something to keep tabs on, with Seol Young-woo perhaps the only nailed-on starter for the World Cup. Lee Tae-seok will be looking to stake a claim for left back, while question marks of Park Yong-woo's place in the team mean that a more mobile alternative with better passing range may lead to his exclusion, namely Park Jin-seop and Kim Bong-soo. And of course, a number 9 type with Cho Gue-sung's fitness an issue, so Lee Ho-jae could be a late entrant to secure a place on the plane next summer.

Prediction

South Korea 3-1 China

South Korea should win this one fairly comfortably. They will want to start strong in front of their own fans, and it may also come down to goal difference with fellow tournament favourites Japan, so a strong showing up front will be key.

South Korea Squad

Goalkeepers

Jo Hyeon-woo, Ulsan HD (42 caps)
Lee Chang-geun, Daejeon Hana Citizen (2 caps)
Kim Dong-heon, Incheon United (0 caps)

Defenders

Kim Moon-hwan, Daejeon Hana Citizen (28 caps)
Lee Tae-seok, Pohang Steelers (5 caps)
Kim Ju-sung, FC Seoul (3 caps)
Park Seung-wook, Pohang Steelers (3 caps)
Byeon Jun-soo, Gwangju FC (0 caps, first call-up)
Cho Hyun-taek, Ulsan HD (0 caps)
Kim Tae-hyeon, Kashima Antlers (Japan) (0 caps, first call-up)
Kim Tae-hyun, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (0 caps, first call-up)
Seo Myung-gwan, Ulsan HD (0 caps, first call-up)

Midfielders

Na Sang-ho, Machida Zelvia (Japan) (28 caps, 2 goals)
Moon Seon-min, FC Seoul (18 caps, 2 goals)
Lee Dong-gyeong, Gimcheon Sangmu (10 caps, 1 goal)
Kim Jin-gyu, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (9 caps, 3 goals)
Park Jin-seop, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (6 caps, 1 goal)
Jeon Jin-woo, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2 caps)
Kang Sang-yoon, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (0 caps, first call-up)
Kim Bong-soo, Daejeon Hana Citizen (0 caps)
Lee Seung-won, Gimcheon Sangmu (0 caps, first call-up)
Mo Jae-hyeon, Gangwon FC (0 caps, first call-up)
Seo Min-woo, Gangwon FC (0 caps, first call-up)

Strikers

Joo Min-kyu, Daejeon Hana Citizen (9 caps, 2 goals)
Oh Se-hun, Machida Zelvia (Japan) (9 caps, 2 goals)
Lee Ho-jae, Pohang Steelers (0 caps, first call-up)