While Japanese college soccer players are training in Europe to pursue their dreams, South Korea has merely embarrassed itself by staging a showcase for employment.

The South Korean university soccer team, led by coach Park Jun-hong of Yongin University, lost 1-0 to Japan in the 24th Denso Cup Korea-Japan University Soccer Regular Match held on the 20th at Todoroki Stadium in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

After losing in the championship for first and second-year students on the 19th, Korea struggled in the regular match primarily made up of third and fourth-year students. They have now fallen into a quagmire of four consecutive losses in regular matches.

Since the start of the Denso Cup in 2004, the overall record stands at 8 wins, 2 draws, and 11 losses, indicating that Korea is at a disadvantage. The record for winless matches in Japan has now reached 11 games (1 draw, 10 losses).

Korea was unable to even record a proper shot against Japan. It was a one-goal loss, but the performance was the worst.

Japan, which launched relentless attacks, eventually scored.

In the 34th minute of the second half, a cross floated in from the left side by Matsunaga Sota was cleared by South Korean defender Shin Seop-yun with his head but went behind him. This ball was struck into the net by Suneto Kanade with his right foot.

Uchino Gotaro (University of Tsukuba), who posed a threat to Korea with a header shot that hit the goalpost, provided a significant interview.

Uchino noted that he recently went on a short-term training trip to Denmark to improve his individual skills. He trained at Brøndby IF in Denmark, where Suzuki Yuito, who was selected as a member of the Japanese national team, is currently active. He expressed his determination to develop into a higher-level player after experiencing training in Europe, even in a short time.

In an interview published by Gekisaka, Uchino said, "Even though there is a three-year age difference, I received great help from Suzuki, as we met in the national team. I was able to train in a good environment," adding, "My resolve to play in Europe has grown even stronger. I felt the differences between Japanese football and European football anew. Of course, I also clearly noticed the advantages of Japanese football. In terms of skills and passing ability, I feel that Japanese players are not inferior to those in Europe."

He continued, "First, I will do my best at the University of Tsukuba. While it is important to enter the professional league quickly, there are also things that can only be learned in college. I will focus on university and strive to become a higher-level player."

The South Korean university soccer team focused on employment. On this day, the team was composed mainly of third- and fourth-year students who had not found employment. There was also an explanation about creating employment opportunities through the showcase.

The mindset toward soccer was completely different. While the Japanese team players announced their intention to become higher-level players in the Denso Cup, such statements did not emerge from the South Korean team.

Recently, the Korea University Football Association welcomed a new president, Park Han-dong. As revealed in the Denso Cup, despite changes in leadership, new developments in university soccer remain distant.

[OSEN]