The focus on the latest installment of the series is the 2020 edition, which also offered three spots to the Tokyo Olympics.

Taeguk Warriors finally taste glory
After collapsing in the 2016 final against Japan and twice falling in the semi-finals, the 2020 edition – the qualification campaign for the Tokyo Olympics – would see Korea Republic finally crowned champions as the Taeguk Warriors made up for earlier disappointments.
Three wins from three in the group stage was a sign of things to come before Korea edged Jordan 2-1 in the quarter-finals and beat Australia 2-0 in the last four. Runners-up in 2014, meanwhile, the Saudis ousted hosts Thailand and holders Uzbekistan to seal their ticket to the Olympics and line up a date with the Koreans.

The Taeguk Warriors had the better of the final but struggled to get past the excellent Mohammed Al Yami in the Saudi goal. However, in extra-time, centre-back Jeong Tae-wook rose highest at the back post to head Lee Dong-gyeong’s free-kick into the back of the net to secure the title.

Australia, meanwhile, joined the pair at the Olympics, defeating Uzbekistan 1-0 in the third-place playoff courtesy of a Nicholas D’Agostino goal.

The Stars
There was no shortage of star power within the Korean squad, among them Ulsan Hyundai trio Lee Dong-jun, Lee Dong-gyeong and MVP Won Du-jae, and D’Agostino shone for Australia after his three goals saw him finish joint top scorer.
For the Saudis, Firas Al Buraikan and Abdulrahman Ghareeb are two of the players who have gone on to become regulars for the senior national team, while a pair of rising Thai stars, Supachok Sarachat and Suphanat Mueanta, were on the scoresheet to help the hosts into the knockout rounds.

Standout Match
After Cho Gue-sung put Korea ahead against Jordan in the quarter-finals, the Taeguk Warriors missed a number of chances before the West Asians gave the eventual champions an almighty scare, levelling through Yazan Al Naimat’s strike into the bottom corner with 15 minutes to play.
Substitute Lee Dong-gyeong would prove the hero, though, curling home a sumptuous free-kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time to dramatically secure a place in the final four and end the Jordanians’ Olympic dream.