April 17 – The Korean Republic became the fifth Asian Football Confederation (AFC) nation to qualify for the France 2019 Women’s World Cup with a 5-0 win over the Philippines in the fifth place play-off at the Women’s Asian Cup in Jordan.
The South Koreans join China PR, Thailand, Australia and Japan at France 2019. Those four nations compete in the semi-finals of the Women’s Asian Cup today with China facing Japan and Australia up against Thailand.
That Korea had to rely on a play-off to qualify for France 2019 came after am extraordinarily tight group finish when Korea were level on points with Australia and Japan. The Koreans missed out on contesting the semi-finals on goals scored, having also toed with Japan on goal difference.
Goal scoring was not a problem in their play-off for France 2019 against an emerging Philippines side.
Although Korea only lead by a goal at half time, they powered to qualification in the second half with four goals from Lee Min-a, Lim Seon-joo and two from captain Cho So-hyun sealed a comprehensive victory.
“Our players did a great job and an excellent performance which helped us qualify for the World Cup. Of course, it would have been much better if we had been in the semi-finals, but all my players gave 100% in all the matches and played very well throughout the tournament.
“This is not the end, there is now the World Cup. We have found some things we need to improve and from now on, we will try to prepare well for next year in France,” said Korean coach Yoon Duk-yeo who is taking his country for a second successive to the World Cup.
With World Cup qualification over focus now returns to the Asian Cup and today’s semi-finals.
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