The Unthinkable Happened in Yongin
Did you know that Japan just won the 2025 East Asian Cup without a single European-based player? On July 15, 2025, at Yongin Mireu Stadium, Japan defeated Korea 1-0 in the tournament final, securing their second consecutive championship with a squad entirely composed of J-League players. The victory wasn't just about three points—it was a statement about Japanese football's astonishing depth. Korean fans left the stadium in disbelief, having witnessed their team suffer a historic third consecutive defeat to Japan, the first such streak in the rivalry's long history. While Korea fielded what they considered their best available domestic squad, Japan rotated heavily throughout the tournament, making 10 changes between matches and still dominating. Japanese media Soccer Digest boldly proclaimed: Korean players must have been shocked by the quality of players who weren't even called up for World Cup qualifying.
Germain's Fairytale Debut Continues
Ryo Germain emerged as the tournament's undisputed star, capturing both the Golden Boot with 5 goals and the MVP award. The 30-year-old Sanfrecce Hiroshima striker made his national team debut in this tournament's opening match against Hong Kong, where he scored an incredible 4 goals in just 26 minutes—a Japanese record not seen in 95 years. Against Korea, Germain struck early in the 8th minute, volleying home Yuki Soma's pinpoint cross with his left foot to seal Japan's victory. What makes Germain's story remarkable is that he had never been called up during Japan's World Cup qualifying campaign, sitting behind established stars like Kaoru Mitoma and Daizen Maeda. Yet when given his chance at the East Asian Cup, he delivered performances that left both teammates and opponents in awe. Japanese media praised his ability to convert crosses with technical precision, noting his shadow striker positioning was absolutely dominant throughout the tournament.
The Supporting Cast Nobody Expected
Beyond Germain, Japan's roster revealed talent at every position that could easily slot into their first-choice squad. Yuki Soma, who provided the assist for the winning goal, had been absent from the national team since the 2022 World Cup despite his quality. His performance drew specific praise from Soccer Digest: Despite never being called up for World Cup qualifying where Mitoma and Maeda played, Soma showed he fully deserves to wear the national team jersey. Right wingback Henry Heroki Mochizuki dazzled with his dynamic attacking runs, earning admiration even from Korean journalists covering the match. Goalkeeper Keisuke Osako made crucial saves throughout the tournament, including a spectacular stop to deny Lee Ho-jae's acrobatic effort in the 84th minute that would have equalized the final. The depth extended beyond individuals—Japan made 10 substitutions between their China match and the Korea final, yet their performance level never dropped.
Korean Fans React with Frustration and Respect
The reaction in Korean football communities ranged from frustration to grudging respect. On forums like Naver, DC Inside, and FMKorea, fans expressed shock at how comprehensively Japan controlled the match despite Korea's territorial advantage in the second half. One widely shared comment read: We had more possession in the second half but couldn't break through—that's the difference between having tactics and just running hard. Korean defender Kim Moon-hwan won the tournament's Best Defender award, providing some consolation, but the overall sentiment focused on Japan's organizational superiority. Many Korean fans noted the irony that Japan rested their starters more than Korea did, with just two days recovery before the final compared to Korea's three, yet still looked fresher throughout the 90 minutes. The loss marked Korea's first three-match losing streak against Japan in the rivalry's history, having previously lost 3-0 in friendlies in 2021 and at the 2022 East Asian Cup. Korea's overall record still favors them with 42 wins, 23 draws, and 17 losses, but recent form tells a different story—just 2 wins, 3 draws, and 5 losses in the last 10 meetings.
