Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic secured a first-ever appearance in a Cyprus Cup final, while Australia and Japan narrowly missed out on a shot at glory in the Algarve Cup despite wins on another successful day for Asian teams.
Cyprus Cup
Korea Republic 2–0 New Zealand
Scorers: Kang Yu-mi (50’), Ji So-yun (52’)
Two goals in two second-half minutes put Korea Republic into Wednesday’s Cyprus Cup final, and on track for their highest ever international honour at the Ammochostos Stadium in Larnaca.
The Koreans who have only previously won the East Asian Cup – once, in 2005 – will meet Switzerland after a near-faultless group stage which saw them claim seven of nine available points and keep three clean sheets from as many matches.
Deadlocked at 0-0 at half-time, midfielder Kang Yu-mi gave the Koreans the lead in the 50th minute, before superstar Ji So-yun added a second goal just two minutes later to take the game away from the Football Ferns.
Despite the win over New Zealand, Korea Republic still had to rely on Scotland taking points from previous group-leaders Austria, and the Scots obliged with an impressive 3-1 win.
The successful Cyprus Cup run is a timely boost for Korea Republic.
The Taegeuk Ladies are less than a month away from the qualifying tournament for the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in neighbouring DPR Korea.
The Koreans are the first Asian team to reach the final of the Cyprus Cup since the tournament’s inception in 2008.
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Group B P W D L GF GA GD Pts Korea Republic 3 2 1 0 4 0 +4 7 Scotland 3 2 0 1 6 5 +1 6 Austria 3 1 1 1 4 3 +1 4 New Zealand 3 0 0 3 2 8 -6 0 |
DPR Korea 4–1 Belgium
Scorers: Kim Nam-hui (7’), Ho Un-byol (30’), Wi Jom-sim (57’), Ri Kyong-hyang (71’) | van Mechelen (62’)
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/switzerland_v_dpr-korea_cyprus2017_uefa_jpg.html
