Korea Republic women’s national team have reached the semi-finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022.

Colin Bell’s side defeated Australia 1-0 in the quarter-final staged at Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune, India on Sunday, with Ji Soyun scoring the only goal of the game in the closing minutes.

Korea Republic have qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, by reaching the last four at the continental finals – top five teams from Asia to qualify for the world finals next year. With the goal of reaching their third consecutive world finals accomplished, the Taegeuk Nangja have set their sights firmly on winning the Women’s Asian Cup this time around. The semi-final is scheduled on Thursday afternoon, with their opponents to be decided after the quarter-final tie between Chinese Taipei and the Philippines.

Bell opted for a 4-3-3 formation against the Matildas: Choe Yuri, Son Hwayeon and Lee Geummin leading the three-pronged attack; Cho Sohyun, Ji Soyun and Lee Youngju in midfield; Choo Hyojoo, Shim Seoyeon, Lim Seonjoo and Kim Hyeri at the back; and goalkeeper Kim Jungmi. Notably, Cho became the most capped Korea Republic player, making her 137th appearance for the Taegeuk Nangja.

The Matildas surged forward from the outset, with their star forward Samantha Kerr testing Kim Jungmi after four minutes before firing a shot just over the crossbar on seven minutes. Mary Fowler’s effort from the edge of the area was parried away by Kim Jungmi on 19 minutes, and Kerr’s header off the resulting corner was denied by the post.

Korea Republic fought back by intercepting the ball to launching a series of counters against the run of play. Son lurked into the space behind the Aussie rearguard, as Cho curled her effort just over the bar following a neat passing play inside the area on 22 minutes.

The battle intensified as the half wore on, with both sides trying to seize control in midfield. On 34 minutes, Lee Geummin was breaking into the right side of the area when she was brought down on the line by Caitlin Foord. Referee Qin Liang took time to review the footage on the field, before awarding a penalty to Korea Republic. Cho stepped up to take the spot-kick with five minutes remaining in the first half, only to fire her shot well over the crossbar.

Despite missing the golden opportunity to take the lead, the women in red came out stronger into the second half. Choe Yuri sent a neat pass into the path of an onrushing Lee Geummin, who dragged a low shot straight at Lydia Williams six minutes after the restart. Four minutes later, Kim Hyeri’s cross from behind was met by a header from Cho, but the Aussie custodian did well to deny the effort from close range.

Korea Republic found themselves on the back foot midway through the second half, but they concentrated on defending to smother the waves of attack from Australia. Substitute Cortnee Vine sent a low cross for Kerr, who could only drag her low shot wide with only the keeper to beat. At the opposite end, Ji Soyun dribbled through her comfort zone to create some promising chances, whilst Lee Mina came off the bench on 77 minutes to add more attacking options.

Just as the Koreans were seemingly depleted in the closing minutes, Ji rose to the occasion when it mattered most. The Chelsea dynamo broke into the left edge of the area before firing an unstoppable effort into the top corner on 87 minutes.

The Matildas were deperated to score an equaliser, with Kerr miscuing her pointblank effort wide deep into added time. But the Taegeuk Nangja held on to keep their opponents at bay and claim the famous victory.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022

Quarter-final

Australia 0-1 Korea Republic

KOR: Kim Jungmi; Cho Hyojoo, Shim Seoyeon, Lim Seonjoo, Kim Hyeri; Cho Sohyun, Ji Soyun (Park Yeeun 90’), Lee Youngju; Choe Yuri (Lee Mina 77’), Son Hwayeon (Yeo Minji 85’), Lee Geummin