As part of efforts to embrace the latest advances in the global game, Asian football also marked a historic milestone during the tournament with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system successfully making its full debut across all 32 matches.

The report offers a summary of the tournament, which was held across four venues in Thailand, namely Bangkok’s iconic Rajamangala Stadium, the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, Songkhla’s Tinsulanon Stadium and the Buriram Stadium as Korea Republic beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 to clinch their first-ever AFC U23 Championship title.

After a goalless 90-minute stalemate meant extra time, it seemed penalties would be needed to decide the final until Jeong rose the highest to head home Lee Dong-gyeong’s curling free-kick in the 113th minute at the Rajamangala Stadium on Sunday.

The midfielder played a sterling role in Korea Republic's campaign, which climaxed with the East Asians defeating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final at the Rajamangala Stadium on Sunday.

Defender Jeong Tae-wook scored the only goal of the game seven minutes from the end of the second period of extra-time to give the Koreans the title for the first time in their history as coach Kim added this crown to the gold medal won at the Asian Games in Indonesia in 2018.

Song was an integral part of Korea Republic's campaign, which climaxed with the East Asians defeating Saudi Arabia in extra-time.

Jeong Tae-wook’s goal in the 113th minute of a closely-fought encounter helped Korea Republic seal their first-ever Continental crown at this level, one which comes four years after they dramatically lost to Japan in the final of the competition’s 2016 edition.

For Saudi Arabia, however, the result brought late heartbreak following a campaign in which they had excelled en route to their disappointing defeat at the hands of their East Asian counterparts.

Nick D’Agostino’s individual goal two minutes into the second half sealed the win for the Olyroos and ended Australia’s 12-year Olympic absence, leaving Arnold delighted with the achievements of a squad that features a host of players who rarely play for their clubs.