Toyota:On the eve of the Asian Games men's football gold medal match against host country Japan, South Korea's head coach, Lee Min-sung, emphasized the importance of maintaining focus despite ongoing operational challenges.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee expressed his determination to keep the team centered on their objective of winning their fourth consecutive gold medal. The match is scheduled for 730 p.m. Saturday at Toyota Stadium, located about 40 kilometers from Nagoya.

Lee highlighted the team's year-and-a-half-long preparation for this crucial match. Despite facing several logistical issues during the tournament, such as a delayed pretournament press conference and transportation mishaps, Lee remains committed to uniting the team towards victory.

Operational difficulties included a mix-up in transportation to the opening group stage match against Qatar and a canceled training session on Friday due to pitch problems. The team also faced rejection from the organizing committee when they requested a change in their training venue due to poor field conditions.

South Korea advanced to the final by winning all their group matches and defeating Vietnam and China in the knockout stages. Lee acknowledged the challenge ahead but urged his players to remain composed amid a strong presence of Japanese supporters.

The participation of captain and midfielder Lee Gi-hyuk in the final remains uncertain due to foot inflammation. However, Lee Gi-hyuk expressed optimism about playing, emphasizing the significance of winning the gold medal and his desire to lead by example on the field.