South Korea women’s football dropped their first World Cup match to Colombia.
The South Korean women’s football team, led by head coach Colleen Bell, lost 0-2 to Colombia in their first match of Group H at the Women’s World Cup Australia-New Zealand 2023 on Friday at Sydney Football Stadium in Australia. The loss drops South Korea to third place in the group behind second-placed Colombia. Group H is led by Germany, who thrashed Morocco 6-0 on 24 April.
South Korea, who reached the round of 16 at the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada, are trying to reach the last 16 for the first time in eight years. At the 2019 tournament in France, they were eliminated in the group stage after three games. With the number of participating nations increasing from 24 to 32, the door to the round of 16 is even narrower, as only the second-placed team in the group can advance.
Bell included a number of veterans in his starting line-up. Ji So-yeon and Cho So-hyun, who holds the record for the most A matches in Korean football, started side by side for their 146th caps, with Lee Geum-min joining them in midfield.
Up front, Choi Yuri and Son Hwa-yeon were deployed. Jang Seul-ki and Choo Hyo-joo were the left and right wing-backs, while Kim Hye-ri, Lim Sun-joo and Shim Seo-yeon formed the back three. Yoon Young-gl wore the goalkeeping gloves.
South Korea started the game on the attack and took the initiative. In the third minute of the first half, Cho So-hyun connected with a mid-range shot from Lee Geum-min, but her effort was blocked by the defence. In the eighth minute, Choi Yuri’s shot was saved by the opposition goalkeeper.
The tide swung in Colombia’s favour in the 30th minute. Colombia’s Manuela Banegas’ shot hit defender Shim Seo-yeon in the hand and a penalty kick was awarded. Midfielder Catalina Usme slotted home the spot kick to give Colombia a 1-0 lead.
Colombia added a second goal in the 39th minute. Real Madrid star Linda Caicedo broke down the left flank and cut into the middle, where her shot was punched away by goalkeeper Yoon Young-gul, but the ball rebounded and rattled the net. It was an unfortunate moment for Yoon.카지노사이트
South Korea had a chance in first-half stoppage time. Choi Yuri’s sharp cross was met by Lee Geum-min’s header, but it was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper.
Both teams entered the second half unchanged. In the 16th minute of the second half, Colombian forward Myra Ramirez’s header went narrowly wide of the goal.
In the 23rd minute of the second half, Bell made a change to his attacking line-up, removing Cho So-yeon and Son Hwa-yeon and introducing Park Eun-sun and Kang Chae-rim. The 6-foot-2 striker was making her third World Cup appearance.
South Korea had a chance in the 26th minute in a scramble in front of the goal, but the defence cleared it away. Bell brought on her youngest player, 16-year-old Casey Eugene Fair, in the 33rd minute. Born to an American father and Korean mother, Eugene Fair is the youngest player on the Korean team at this tournament.
South Korea was unable to capitalise on its chances against Colombia. The team will face Morocco in their second group game at 1:30 p.m. on the 30th.