Swansea City’s Eom Ji-sung is one victory away from potentially removing one of the biggest complications hanging over his long-term football career. South Korea U23 face Japan in the Asian Games final on Saturday, with a gold medal at stake. For Eom, however, the prize could be far more significant than another international honour.

Victory would make the 24-year-old eligible for South Korea’s special alternative military-service system for elite athletes. It would not erase his military obligations altogether, but it could allow him to avoid the lengthy period of conventional active-duty service that might otherwise interrupt his career with Swansea City.

That is why Saturday’s final matters so much.

Swans player Ki Sung-yueng did four weeks military training in 2016. He stated it was very tough, completing it in the close season, fortunately he won an Olympic medal for his country in 2012 so four weeks was his contribution.

The arrangement is often described as a military-service exemption, but that is not strictly accurate. It is more precisely classified as alternative service as an ‘art and sports’ personnel member. Eom would still need to complete basic military training and fulfil the programme’s requirements as per Ki Sung-yueng. However, the system could allow him to continue playing professional football while completing those obligations, rather than stepping away from the game for a prolonged period of conventional active-duty service.

For a player entering an important stage of his career, that distinction is enormous. Eom was one of three over-age players selected by South Korea for the tournament, alongside Lee Gi-hyuk and Yang Hyun-jun. All three entered the Asian Games without having completed their military service. The Swansea City man has certainly justified his selection. Eom made an explosive start to the competition, scoring a first-half hat-trick (below) in South Korea’s opening 4-1 victory over Qatar. It was the kind of performance that immediately underlined his importance to the squad, but he has continued to deliver as the pressure has increased.

He then played a decisive role in Wednesday’s semi-final against China.

With regular captain Lee Gi-hyuk unavailable through injury, Eom took the captain’s armband as South Korea attempted to book their place in the final. The match did not begin according to plan. South Korea fell behind, leaving them with a difficult task against the hosts. But Eom helped turn the game around, with his corner headed home by Lee Young-jun to bring the score level at 1-1.

Then, with eight minutes remaining, he produced another decisive moment. Eom’s delivery from the left found Stoke City’s Bae Jun-ho, who converted to complete the comeback and secure a 2-1 victory. Two South Korean goals. Two Eom Ji-sung assists. (below)

It was another reminder of the influence he has had throughout the tournament. The result means the Swansea man who began the competition with a hat-trick has now helped carry his country to within one victory of another Asian Games title. South Korea face Japan at Toyota Stadium on Saturday as they attempt to win an extraordinary fourth consecutive Asian Games men’s football gold medal. They previously triumphed in 2014, 2018 and at the delayed 2022 Hangzhou Games.

Japan have been beaten by South Korea in each of the previous two Asian Games finals, adding another layer to what is already one of the biggest fixtures of the tournament. For Eom, however, the final could have consequences that stretch well beyond the result itself. At 24, he is entering a crucial stage of his development. His career with Swansea City is still taking shape, and the possibility of conventional military service interrupting that progress is an issue that cannot simply be ignored. Plus his market value will be at its lowest until this process is complete. No club will sign a player under these restrictions as they are unless it’s a basement bargain price.

Qualifying for the alternative-service route could remove that uncertainty. It would mean Eom still has responsibilities to fulfil, but it could allow him to remain available for club football while doing so. Instead of facing a lengthy interruption at a key point in his career, he would have a route that enables him to continue developing as a professional player. That is the opportunity now in front of him. It is the same broad route that allowed Son Heung-min to continue his European career after helping South Korea win Asian Games gold in 2018. Son’s success has become the obvious example of what is possible when South Korea reach the top of the podium.

Now Eom has his own opportunity to follow that path. He has scored a hat-trick. He has captained his country. He has produced both assists in an Asian Games semi-final. And he has helped South Korea recover from behind and reach another final. Now there is just one game left. One game from gold. This could be a fourth successive South Korean Asian Games title. And one game from potentially securing an alternative-service arrangement that could resolve the conventional military-service issue hanging over his long-term club career.

⚽️ South Korea v Japan — Saturday, 11:30am, UK time
For the Jack Army, it is suddenly an international fixture with a big Swansea City interest. For Eom Ji-sung, it could be one of the most important ninety minutes of his career. A gold medal would bring glory for South Korea. For Eom, it could also bring clarity, continuity and the chance to keep building his future at Swansea City without the shadow of conventional military service hanging over him.

⚽️ Linked feature below

Eom faces his military demon

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