EAFF E-1 Men Preview: South Korea vs. Japan Title Decider

The 2025 men's EAFF E-1 Football Championship will be decided on Tuesday when South Korea take on Japan. The Taeguk Warriors are looking to reclaim the title they lost to Japan in 2022 and extend their record to six overall, while the Samurai Blue are looking to make it back-to-back titles for the first time.

(Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)

Overview & Match Information

Fixture: South Korea vs. Japan

Competition: EAFF E-1 Football Championship Matchday 3

Venue: Yongin Mireu Stadium, Yongin

Date: Tuesday 15th July, 7:24 PM KST

It's the big one, the 'Han-Il Jeon,' South Korea versus Japan, two rivals locking horns in a competitive match for the first time since the 2022 competition decider. Korea, as the host nation, will be under a bit of pressure to beat Japan, but with something of a psychological advantage after the resounding 3-0 win in 2022, not to mention convincing performances in their first two matches.

EAFF E-1 Form

South Korea are yet to concede a goal, having kept clean sheets against both China and Hong Kong. The 3-0 victory over China to start the competition was then followed up by a 2-0 win over Hong Kong with a heavily rotated starting XI. 

Hong Kong 0-2 South Korea Highlights

Japan are the tournament's top scorers, having hit Hong Kong for six in the first game thanks in part to four goals in the first half from Ryo Germain. The 6-1 triumph was followed up by a routine win over China, thanks to goals from Mao Hoseyo and Henry Heroki Mochizuki.

Japan 2-0 China Highlights

Head-to-Head

Japan have won the last two meetings, both by the same 3-0 scoreline. The most recent was the 2022 EAFF E-1 title decider with Yuki Soma, Sho Sasaki, and Shuto Machino on target. Before that, in March 2021, Japan ran out 3-0 in a friendly thanks to goals from Miki Yamane, Daichi Kamada, and Wataru Endo. Before that, Korea had remained unbeaten in three against Japan with back-to-back wins in the 2017 and 2019 EAFF competitions.

In EAFF action, there have been 15 total encounters with Japan earning six wins, Korea four, and five draws. Overall, from 71 meetings, Korea have 36 wins, Japan have 17, with 18 draws. 

Via Transfermarkt

South Korea in Focus with Seo Bo-won

How have Korea's performances been in the first two games?

First of all, Coach Hong Myung-bo utilized a back-three formation, likely with strong opponents at the World Cup in mind. However, since he adopted a more defensive back-three against China in the first match and a more attacking version against Hong Kong in the second, this could indicate a focus on tactical flexibility. Of course, simply using wingers as wing-backs doesn’t necessarily equate to being “flexible,” but at the very least, it shows an effort to address the lack of a Plan B, which the national team struggled with during the third round of World Cup qualifiers. That said, it’s a bit concerning that against Hong Kong, players seemed to focus on personal showcases rather than team play. They clearly see this tournament as their last chance to make the final World Cup squad and are playing with urgency, but at times their style appears a bit selfish. Still, the two clean-sheet wins are a satisfactory result.

Japan next in a big game that will decide the tournament, what are you expecting to see from Hong Myung-bo tactically?

While Japan seems to be treating this tournament as a true “testing ground,” Korea has taken a less experimental approach in terms of squad selection and match management. This makes it harder to predict what tactics Japan might bring, but regardless, Korea needs a proactive approach that doesn’t shrink in the face of pressure. I believe this is the best way to truly assess the gap in quality between the two teams. If Coach Hong shares this view, we’re likely to see a match with intense physical duels and fast-paced passing to draw out that contrast. Given the hot and humid conditions, I expect both teams will try to decide the game in the first half, and experiment with new options in the second half when the tempo drops.

Korea lost 3-0 to Japan in the last EAFF. What went wrong in that game, and what do Korea need to do this time?

In the last edition of this tournament, Paulo Bento’s Korean team couldn’t even approach Japan’s penalty area. That’s how good Hajime Moriyasu’s Japan was in terms of ball possession, compactness, and especially their rapid ball progression. Rather than blaming Bento’s tactics, I’d say Japan simply played extremely well. In this tournament, too, they’ve maintained that same tactical identity. The midfielders and wingers combine smoothly to create space, and they’ve had no problem breaking down deep-lying defensive teams like Hong Kong. What’s more, Moriyasu’s side now has continuity—and that’s where I see the real difference in quality.

Who will be Korea's key players against Japan?

That’s quite a tough question… But I would say Lee Dong-gyeong is the most likely key player. Whether or not he can get enough touches on the ball could determine the direction of the match. In fact, for Lee Dong-gyeong to get those touches, Kim Jin-gyu needs to establish a strong presence in midfield. Both players will play crucial roles against Japan. If Lee Dong-gyeong can get the ball in the final third, I believe we might even be able to take the initiative in the match. He has become a more creative player and currently looks to have the sharpest shooting instincts.

 - Korean football journalist Seo Bo-won

The Opposition with Sean Carroll

(Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)

What have you thought of Japan's performances so far?

I think they’ve been steady but unspectacular. With a lot of uncapped players (and, in Yuto Nagatomo, one who just made his first appearance for 950 days) and having started with two totally different XIs in their two games, that’s perhaps to be expected, though. Overall, they’ve still managed to control both games, but the Korea game will be the real test.

Who have been their most important players?

That’s a tricky one on account of the rotation. Yuki Soma has looked a level above on his third straight appearance in the competition, Satoshi Tanaka impressed in central midfield against China, and both Ryo Germain and Mao Hosoya have shown they can finish up front. 

Who will be key for Japan to get the win?

It sounds obvious, but I think the centre backs and strikers. I expect it to be a game of few chances, so there’s no room for errors at the back or profligacy in front of goal.

They will have the psychological advantage over Korea after the last meeting. Could this lead to complacency? How seriously are Japan taking this competition, and generally, how seriously does the JFA take it?

I’m not sure the last game really factors into it, as the squads are so different. Moriyasu takes every game seriously and will be demanding the same of his players, and while overseas players obviously can’t be called up, I get the impression the JFA see this tournament as a useful exercise to run the rule over players not ordinarily afforded the opportunity to play for their country.

Any weaknesses Korea could exploit?

It depends who starts to an extent (Keisuke Osako looks certain to be in goal for instance, so if his Sanfrecce Hiroshima teammate Hayato Araki is in the back three, that will negate the issue a little), but the fact that there is no existing partnership at centre back means Korea could cause problems there.

- Japanese football expert & journalist Sean Carroll

What to Watch

With Japan's superior goal difference (7-5), Korea will have to win to secure the title; a draw won't do and would mean Japan make it back-to-back titles for the first time. This means Korea will have to attack and will have to pick their moments. Japan's quick passing and deadliness in transitions could prove fatal if Korea go in all guns blazing and leave themselves exposed. Central midfield selection will be key, players who can go box-to-box while in attack, Korea will have to be clinical. Joo Min-kyu might just be the man for Hong Myung-bo looks to to lead the line, as he did against China.