Korea Republic women’s national team have failed to qualify for the Olympic Games Football Tournament after a draw with China PR.

Colin Bell’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by China PR in their third and final Group B match at the Igret Stadium in Xiamen on Wednesday. The result put Korea Republic on the second place with five points behind Korea DPR with seven points, whilst the Philippines finished runners up in Group A with six points to reach the last four.

In the second round of qualifying for Paris 2024, 12 participating teams are divided into three groups of four teams in the group stage. Three group winners and a runner-up with best results advance to the final qualifying round, where the four teams will compete for the two tickets to the Olympics allocated to Asia.

Bell stuck with the same formation and lineup that had faced Korea DPR, deploying three defenders: Kim Jungmi stood between the posts; Shim Seoyeon, Lee Youngju and Kim Hyeri at the back; with Choo Hyojoo and Lee Eunyoung marauding on the flanks.

Jang Selgi, Jeon Eunha and Ji Soyun started in central midfield behind attacking midfielder Ji Soyun; Chun Garam and Casey Phair up front.

The hosts drew first blood after 20 minutes when Wu Rigumula latched onto a pass from Wu Chengshu following a free-kick from the right. But the goal did not stand as Wu Chengshu was adjudged to be offside when the free-kick was taken.

Korea Republic kept the Chinese at bay with solid defending from five defenders, who dealt with the waves of attack making aggressive approach to the game.

The Taegeuk Nangja then fought back to create a golden opportunity after 25 minutes. Against the run of play, Ji Soyun put Phair through on goal with a neat pass, but the latter missed the time to shoot with only Xu Huan to beat as the goalkeeper came off her line to clear the ball from danger.

Another chance saw the pair come within a whisker of breaking the deadlock deep into added time, when Phair found Ji lurking into the right side of the area. However, the No10 could only drag her effort against the left post with only the keeper to beat.

The visitors kept the momentum after the interval, and finally took the lead through a set-piece on 62 minutes. Ji Soyun’s free-kick was converted by a glancing header from Shim Seoyeon, who scored her first international goal in her 87th appearance for Korea Republic.

However, the lead did not last long as the Chinese fought back through captain Wang Shanshan’s header off a free-kick from Yan Jinjin on 78 minutes.

Korea Republic kept up the pressure in search of a late winner as Kang Chaerim and Moon Mira came off the bench, but it proved too little too late to prevent the result that saw both sides eliminated eventually.

Second round of qualifying for Olympic Games Paris 2024

Group B

Korea Republic 1-1 China PR

Goals: Shim Seoyeon 62’, Wang Shanshan 78’

KOR: Kim Jungmi, Shim Seoyeon, Lee Youngju, Kim Hyeri, Choo Hyojoo, Lee Eunyoung, Jang Selgi, Jeon Eunha (Lee Geummin 77’), Ji Soyun, Chun Garam (Kang Chaerim 83’), Casey Phair (Moon Mira 90’+2)