The Asian Men’s Youth championship enters the final and medal stage with familiar nations in the gold race. South Korea might win its fourth gold in the tournament, the final opponent Japan has yet to finish first in the U18 competition.
Both Japan and South Korea cruised through the group stage in Amman but faced problems in the Main Round.
Japan’s 23–27 versus Kuwait meant that the final standing was determined via head-to-head goal difference with Kuwait advancing on top spot, Japan second and Bahrain narrowly missing the semifinal.
South Korea had to accept defeat against Saudi Arabia, but the tables were soon turned among the top four. With Yuhwan Cho as supreme top scorer (13 goals) South Korea knocked out Kuwait by 30–27 while Japan took comfort in Masato Ohashi´s eleven goals in the victory over Saudi Arabia (30–27).
Both the final and third place game is scheduled for Saturday. The fifth place game on Friday also attracts attention, the winner of Iran and Bahrain join the final four as the Asian contingent in U19 World Championship 2025.