Jo Hyun-woo aside, China can't overcome its 'Korea phobia'

"South Korean national football team? I don't know much except for Jo Hyun-woo."

"South Korean national football team? I don't know much except for Jo Hyun-woo."

South Korea achieved a comprehensive victory over China in the first match of the 2025 East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship (East Asian Cup), taking a solid step toward its sixth title. Meanwhile, the previously reported comments from Chinese media dismissing South Korean football have been brought back into focus.

On the 7th, under the leadership of coach Hong Myung-bo (56), the South Korean national football team defeated China 3-0 at Yongin Mir Stadium.

With this win, South Korea has achieved its sixth consecutive victory over China, maintaining an overwhelming all-time record of 24 wins, 13 draws, and 2 losses in A-match encounters.

Nevertheless, on the eve of the match (6th), the Chinese media outlet Sohu.com pointed out that aside from Jo Hyun-woo (Ulsan HD), very few players from the South Korean national team are well-known to Chinese fans, predicting a possible victory for China.

On that day, Sohu.com stated, "The East Asian Cup is an international A-match, but essentially it is a friendly tournament," highlighting that apart from Jo Hyun-woo, there are hardly any familiar players for Chinese fans in the roster of 26 players.

In reality, the current South Korean national team is composed of 23 K League players and 3 players from Japan's J League, with no players from well-known leagues in Europe included. This is because the East Asian Cup is not held during the FIFA-designated A-match period, preventing players from European leagues from joining the national team.

"Not knowing your players is not acceptable…" China unable to escape its 'Korea phobia'

However, the South Korean team, with its standout players from the K League, had no difficulty securing a comprehensive victory against China. In all sports, studying and preparing for opposing players is essential before matches.

In this way, China, which has been undergoing a generational transition after failing to qualify for the World Cup in North and Central America, has once again not been able to shake off its 'Korea phobia.'

'Korea phobia'

Korea phobia is a metaphorical term describing the fear that the Chinese national football team and Chinese people have towards the South Korean national football team, as well as the resulting repeated losses.

In the match where South Korea secured a 3-0 win with no goals conceded against China, Lee Dong-gyeong (28·Gimcheon) scored the opening goal with a curling left-footed shot from near the right side of the penalty arc in the 8th minute of the first half.

Joo Min-kyu (35·Daejeon) followed up with the second goal in the 21st minute of the first half, heading in a cross from Lee Tae-seok (23·Pohang). Joo Min-kyu, who was added to the roster with the expanded entry, demonstrated his ability with excellent judgment.

In the 11th minute of the second half, Kim Joo-sung (25·FC Seoul) scored his debut international goal by tapping in a ball that the opposing goalkeeper deflected during a corner kick situation.

Meanwhile, all matches in the men's category of the East Asian Cup are held at Yongin Mir Stadium, where South Korea, Japan, China, and Hong Kong compete in a round-robin format. The team with the highest points will be crowned champion.

South Korea, which has the most titles (5 times), will play its second match against Hong Kong on the 11th at 8 PM, and the Japan vs. Korea match (3rd match) against the 2022 tournament champions Japan will kick off on the 15th at 7:24 PM.

Image source: On the 7th, Lee Dong-gyeong celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the match between South Korea and China at the 2025 East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship held at Yongin Mir Stadium in Yongin, Cheoin District. / News1, On the 7th, Kang Sang-yoon participates in the game between South Korea and China at the 2025 EAFF E-1 Championship held at Yongin Mir Stadium. / News1, On the 7th, Joo Min-kyu celebrates after scoring a goal during the match between South Korea and China at the 2025 EAFF E-1 Championship held at Yongin Mir Stadium. / News1, On the 7th, South Korean national football team players celebrate after their victory over China with a score of 3-0 at the 2025 EAFF E-1 Championship held at Yongin Mir Stadium. / News1