Korea Republic women’s national team reached the quarter-finals of the Asian Games, after defeating Myanmar and the Philippines in the group stage.

Colin Bell’s side came from behind to beat the Philippines at Wenzhou Sports Centre Stadium on Monday, with Son Hwayeon scored a hat-trick of goals to inspire a 5-1 victory.

Chun Garam cancelled out the Philippines’ 8th minute opener, before Son headed home to make it 2-1 on the stroke of half time. Ji Soyun doubled the advantage from the spot after the interval, with Son rounding off the famous win with a brace midway through the second half.

Having defeated Myanmar 3-0 on Friday, Korea Republic maintained pole position with their second victory in as many games. In the other Group E fixture earlier in the afternoon, Myanmar edged Hong Kong 1-0. Korea Republic are on top of the group with two wins (+7 on goal difference), with the Philippines and Myanmar tied on three points and goal difference (-2) and Hong Kong on the bottom with two defeats (-3) at the moment.

In these Asian Games finals, 16 participating teams have been divided into five groups of four teams: each group winners advance to the quarterfinals, with the three runners-up with best results joining the quintet in the second round. However, only one team from Group C may reach the last eight, since there are only two teams in that group – Korea DPR and Singapore.

Bell stuck with the identical lineup and formation that had defeated Myanmar last week: Son Hwayeon started as a lone striker supported by Chun Garam and Choe Yuri on the flanks, with Lee Mina operating as the attacking midfielder; Jang Selgi and Ji Soyun in central midfield; Choo Hyojoo, Shim Seoyeon, Kim Hyeri and Lee Eunyoung at the back; and Kim Jungmi between the sticks.

Korea Republic were dealt an early blow against the fellow FIFA Women’s World Cup finalists, as Sarina Isabel Bolden struck first after just eight minutes. But the Taegeuk Nangja soon regrouped and fought back after four minutes. Ji Soyun’s corner from the left sailed across the goalmouth and into the far post, where Chun Garam fired home with a deflected shot to score her first international goal.

Korea Republic geared up after the equaliser, and came back into in on the stroke of half time. Ji Soyun started the fluid moves to find Choo on the left flank, and the latter sent an inviting cross for Son Hwayeon whose glancing header went into the right-hand corner of the net.

Chun picked up where she had left off as the second half got underway. The diminutive winger broke into the area dribbling past two defenders, before being brought down by one of them inside the box. The referee awarded a penalty, and Ji stepped up to converted the resulting spot-kick to make it 3-1.

There was an element of luck in the fourth goal on 56 minutes, when Choe Yuri’s cross from the right was deflected by a defender into the path of an onrushing Son Hwayeon. The No7 had already lost her balance before receiving the ball, but somehow managed to guide the ball with her thigh into the back of the net with the keeper stranded. Son went on to complete her hat-trick on 70 minutes, after receiving a neat through ball from Jeon Eunha.

Bell called his key players – Ji Soyun, Chun Garam and Lee Mina – back to the bench with his side grabbing a three-goal cushion. The substitutes responded well to fill the gap – Park Eunseon latched onto the rebound from Choe Yuri’s effort, only for her shot ricocheting off both posts on 80 minutes.

Asian Games Hangzhou 2022

Group E

Korea Republic 5-1 Philippines

Goals: Sarina Isabel Bolden 8’, Chun Garam 12’, Son Hwayeon 44’, 56’, 70’, Ji Soyun 52’

KOR: KOR: Kim Jungmi, Choo Hyojoo, Shim Seoyeon, Kim Hyeri, Lee Eunyoung (Kwon Hahnul 46’), Jang Selgi, Ji Soyun (Jeon Eunha 66’), Chun Garam (Moon Mira 75’), Lee Mina (Park Eunseon 75’), Choe Yuri, Son Hwayeon