Korea pulled off a spirited comeback to upend China 8-7 in another nailbiter at the 2025 World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championship in placement play, winning on a dramatic defensive stop.
China started sharply and led 4-0 early, but Korea scrapped its way back into the game, getting to within one four minutes into the second half.
The two teams settled into a tense defensive affair, but Walter Zhao pushed the lead back to two for China. Then Korea exploded for three goals in three minutes in a high-adrenaline surge to steal the lead, with the tying goal on a long pole from Kaidan Suh and the go-ahead goal from Tanner Hahm.
China won the next draw, but Korea goalkeeper Saeng Ryo stood on his head three separate times in the final three minutes, capped by a defiant save with 30 seconds left to preserve the lead and set off rapturous celebrations.
Locking up the comeback 🔐
— World Lacrosse (@WorldLacrosse) August 21, 2025
Korea was ecstatic after completing an emphatic rally against China 😤🇰🇷#WLMU20C x #Jeju2025 pic.twitter.com/OSbl70dx0m
Korea advanced to the 13th place game with the win, set for Saturday at noon against the winner of Israel vs. New Zealand. Korea finished 16th in 2022 and has now guaranteed an improved final placement.
China will play for 15th place at 12:10 p.m. on Saturday, and also has secured a better ranking than its 17th place finish in 2022.
The two teams were nearly even across the board on Thursday, in a duel highlighted by two outstanding goalkeepers. Saeng Ryo and Jameson Wong both made 14 saves at over a 60% clip.
Korea’s defense on the whole stepped up after the slow start, and forced China into 24 turnovers with seven registered caused turnovers.
Hahm, who scored the winning goal, led the team with four total. Ryan Baik added two goals and an assist.
Cody Lam turned in a Herculean effort, scoring six of China’s seven goals and trying his best down the stretch to get China back in the game.
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