Um Ji-sung Scores a First-Half Hat-Trick Against Qatar, Going Beyond a Brace as South Korea Wins 4-1
Um Ji-sung scored more than just a brace against Qatar in South Korea's 1 Group D match of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games men's football tournament on 2026-09-15, netting 3 goals in the first half alone. South Korea defeated Qatar 4-1 thanks to Um's hat-trick and an additional goal from Kim Myung-jun.
Because Um added another goal after early reports described his performance as a 'brace,' the final result must reflect his first-half hat-trick.
When Did Um Ji-sung Score His 3 Goals?
Um scored in the 7th minute and 20th minute of the first half, followed by another goal in first-half stoppage time. After scoring twice within the opening 20 minutes, he completed his hat-trick just before halftime.
For his first goal, Um received a long ball from deep on the left, entered the penalty area, and finished with a left-footed shot.
His second goal came after he won possession while Qatar's defense was attempting to clear the ball. He then scored with his right foot from the center of the penalty area.
Um completed his hat-trick in first-half stoppage time after receiving a pass from Lee Seung-won. South Korea went into halftime leading 3-0 thanks to Um's three goals.
In other words, while describing his performance as a 'brace' was accurate early in the match, Um's final record against Qatar was 3 goals and a hat-trick.
What Was South Korea's Final Score Against Qatar?
South Korea's U-23 men's national football team defeated Qatar 4-1.
After Um scored three goals in the first half, Kim Myung-jun added South Korea's fourth goal in the 21th minute of the second half, assisted by Yang Hyun-jun. Qatar pulled one back through Mirwan Hassan in the 40rd minute of the second half.
The final scoring sequence was as follows.
First half, 7th minute: Um Ji-sung
First half, 20th minute: Um Ji-sung
First-half stoppage time: Um Ji-sung
Second half, 21th minute: Kim Myung-jun
Second half, 40rd minute: Mirwan Hassan
Um alone scored 3 of South Korea's 4 goals. Based purely on the number of goals scored, Um accounted for 75% of South Korea's goals in this match.
Why Is Um Ji-sung Playing for the Asian Games Team?
Um Ji-sung, who plays for Swansea City, was selected as a wildcard player for South Korea's men's football squad at this Asian Games.
Although the Asian Games men's football tournament generally has an age restriction, teams may include up to 3 overage players. South Korea selected Um Ji-sung, Yang Hyun-jun, and Lee Ki-hyuk as its wildcard players.
Um also represented South Korea at the 2026 FIFA World Cup before joining the Asian Games squad.
Against Qatar, Kim Myung-jun played as the central striker, with Um Ji-sung, Bae Jun-ho, and Yang Hyun-jun forming the attacking line behind him. Playing in this formation, Um found the net three times in the first half alone.
When Is South Korea's Next Match After Beating Qatar?
South Korea's next group-stage match is scheduled for September 22 at 7 p.m. against Saudi Arabia. The match is set to take place at Nagoya's Mizuho Park Rugby Stadium, the same venue used for the Qatar match.
Group D consists of three teams: South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. A total of 15 countries are participating in the men's football tournament, with the top 2 teams from each group advancing to the round of 8.
Having secured 3 points with its 4-1 victory over Qatar, South Korea will face Saudi Arabia in its second group-stage match.
In one sentence, Um Ji-sung's performance against Qatar was a hat-trick consisting of 3 goals scored in the 7th minute, 20th minute, and first-half stoppage time. He added another goal after initially being reported to have scored a brace, and South Korea finished its Asian Games opener with a 4-1 victory.
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