Korea Storm Into Women’s Asian Cup Final
Pune, Feb 3: Korea booked their place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 final with a comfortable 2-0 win over Philippines here at the Shivaji Chhatrapati Sports Complex on Thursday.
Korea’s first-ever appearance in the final was sealed early, with Cho So-hyun and Son Hwa-yeon scoring in the first half for the East Asian side. Philippines, playing in their first Asian Cup semifinal, can be proud of their efforts as they gave the match their all and can now look forward to their inaugural appearance in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Korea wasted no time in applying heavy pressure from the get-go and opened the scoring as early as the fourth minute when Player of the Match Cho headed in Kim Hye-ri’s corner kick past Philippines goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel.
Eager to impress in their first-ever semifinal appearance, Philippines were undeterred by the early setback and Sofia Harrison’s attempt from distance six minutes later showed they meant business. The Taeguk Ladies, however, continued to hold the lion’s share of possession and came close through Son Hwa-yeon’s efforts in the 15th and 19th minutes, but McDaniel’s safe hands kept Philippines in the game.
Despite having to play on counter-attacks, Philippines had their moments with Katrina Guillou giving the Koreans a scare in the 24th minute when her long-range strike missed by mere inches. Korea, however, looked dangerous every time they surged forward and doubled their lead in the 34th minute when an unmarked Son tapped in Choo Hyo-joo’s cross.
Philippines head coach Alen Stajcic sent on Malea Louise Cesar, Chandler McDaniel and Sara Castaneda at the start of the second half but the changes had little effect as Korea goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi was hardly tested. It was harder for Korea to find opportunities as Philippines kept their defence compact, but they almost found a breakthrough in the 67th minute when Son got at the end of a series of passes only to shoot straight at McDaniels.
Korea continued to attack Philippines goalmouth with Cho and substitute Lee Min-a getting into the thick of the action in the final 15 minutes, but couldn’t keep their strikes on target. Lee should have scored the third in the 87th minute after squeezing past two defenders to collect a through pass in the final third, but McDaniels stood firm to deny her but it mattered not as Korea advanced to their first final.
