Korea Republic women’s national team made history by reaching the continental final for the first time.

Colin Bell’s charges defeated the Philippines 2-0 in the semi-final of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup at Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune, India on Thursday. This is the first time that Korea Republic have reached the Asian Cup final, with their best result to date being third place at the 2003 edition.

After the Taegeuk Nangja qualified for the continental finals under his guidance in September last year, Bell said that his goal was to win the tournament proper and now that is about to become a reality in three days’ time. His side will take on China PR in the final at D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.

Bell deployed his full-strength squad at his disposal: Son Hwayeon, Lee Geummin and Choe Yuri up front; Cho Sohyun and Ji Soyun in midfield; Choo Hyojoo and Kim Hyeri on the flanks; Shim Seoyeon, Lim Seonjoo and Lee Youngju at the back; and goalkeeper Kim Jungmi.

Korea Republic surged forward from the outset and took the lead after just four minutes. Kim Hyeri’s in-swinging corner was met by Cho, who rose highest from the opposite side of the box to glance a pointblank header. The former captain could put her disappointment behind with that goal, having missed a crucial penalty against Australia in the quarter-final.

The women in red kept up the pressure, with Son testing Olivia McDaniel with a shot from close range. At the opposite end, the Philippines looked for their chances through a series of counters launched by Sarina Bolden although they struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities. Katrina Guillou then saw her audacious effort sail over the crossbar.

The Koreans’ attack-minded approach paid dividends again on 34 minutes. Choo broke into the left side of the area to send a delicate cross into the path of Son, who was left with a simple task of tapping the ball in. They did not rest on the two-goal cushion but kept knocking on the door to score more goals.

The Philippines made a triple substitution during the interval, in order to mount pressure whilst preventing their opponents from launching the attack. The Koreans, for their part, stayed calm to preserve the two-goal lead and sought their chances from the flanks to score.

Bell brought Jang Selgi on for Lee Youngju seven minutes into the second half, before Park Yeeun came off the bench to replace Ji Soyun as the hour mark approached – in an attempt to rest the starters and give the reserves some more playing time. On 67 minutes, Lee Geummin found Son lurking into the edge of the area, only for the latter to drag her shot straight at McDaniel. The Philippines custodian did well to stop a mid-range effort from Choo five minute later.

Bell then reshuffled his attack by bringing Yeo Minji and Lee Mina on for Son and Choe respectively, and Lee saw her efforts twice denied by McDaniel in the closing minutes.

Korea Republic managed to smother the waves of attack from the Philippines, as the islanders went all out to reduce the deficit deep into added time. But the Taegeuk Nangja kept the clean sheet to claim a 2-0 win and reach the Asian Cup final for the first time.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022

Semi-final

Korea Republic 2-0 Philippines

Scorers: Cho Sohyun 4’, Son Hwayeon 34’

KOR: Kim Jungmi; Shim Seoyeon, Lim Seonjoo, Lee Youngju (Jang Selgi 52’); Choo Hyojoo, Cho Sohyun, Ji Soyun (Park Yeeun 58’), Kim Hyeri; Son Hwayeon (Yeo Minji 75’), Lee Geummin, Choe Yuri (Lee Mina 76’)