Korea Republic women’s national team came from behind to beat Haiti in their send-off game for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Colin Bell’s side defeated Haiti 2-1 in a friendly staged at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Saturday. The visitors drew first blood after 16 minutes, before Ji Soyun restored parity from the spot and Jang Selgi fired her side to a morale-boosting victory before heading for Australia on Monday.

Bell opted for a 3-5-2 formation against Haiti in what was expected to be a simulation game for their group stage opener against Colombia: Kim Jungmi stood between the sticks; Shim Seoyeon, Lim Seonjoo and Kim Hyeri at the back; Jang Selgi and Choo Hyojoo on the flanks; Cho Sohyun, Ji Soyun and Lee Geummin in the middle of the park; and Choe Yuri and Son Hwayeon up front.

The hosts struggled against the early pressure from Haiti, repeatedly losing possession of the ball whilst trying to build up their play.

For their part, the visitors translated their dominance into scoring after 16 minutes. Captain Nerilia Mondesir broke through the left side of the area to unleash a low shot past Kim Jungmi to put her side ahead.

Bell responded by switching the defence into a back four, moving centre-back Kim Hyeri into right back whilst Choo Hyojoo moved forward as a defensive midfielder to mark the opposition lynchpin Melchie Dumorday.

The switch paid dividends almost immediately as the hosts regrouped in a 4-1-3-2 formation. Son lurked into the left side of the area to lay the ball over to Choe, whose effort was denied by a last-ditch tackle on the stroke of half time.

It took only four minutes for the women in red to drew level after the interval. Cho Sohyun dribbled into the left side of the box after exchanging one-two with Jang Selgi, only to be brought down on the ground to earn a penalty. Ji Soyun stepped up to convert the resulting spot-kick, wrong-footing Kerly Theus to send the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

The hosts surged forward to keep up the momentum, and then Jang Selgi rose to the occasion on 81 minutes. Ji sent a low free-kick from the left into the path of Jang, who controlled the ball before firing an audacious effort into the top corner to make it 2-1.

Women’s national team friendly presented by Shinsegae Emart

Korea Republic 2-1 Haiti

Goals: Ji Soyun 51’ (pen), Jang Selgi 81’; Nerilia Mondesir 16’

KOR: Kim Jungmi (Yoon Younggeul 46’), Shim Seoyeon, Lim Seonjoo, Kim Hyeri (Hong Hyeji 46’), Jang Selgi, Choo Hyojoo, Cho Sohyun, Ji Soyun, Lee Geummin, Choe Yuri (Kang Chaerim 78’)