The Korean national women’s football team has achieved its first aim in the women’s World Cup, advancing to the Round of 16.
  
On June 17, the Korean players won 2-1 in a come-from-behind victory against Spain at Lansdowne Stadium in Ottawa in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada, currently underway in cities across that country.

At first, it was a rocky beginning for the Korean team due to the physical excellence and individual techniques of the Spanish players. Then, 28 minutes into the first half, mid-fielder Veronica Boquete, team captain of Spain, achieved the first goal. The Koreans never gave up, however. In the second half, mid-fielder Cho Sohyun scored the equalizer, heading in a goal at the 8 minute mark, giving a green light for what was to come next. The finishing touch of the game was made by defender Kim Sooyun, who came on in the second half, replacing Kim Hyeri, and she didn't miss her chance. In the 33rd minute of the second half, defender Kim Sooyun’s right foot kicked the ball into the back of the Spanish net. Her goal scored the winning point, marking the Korean women's team’s first victory and helping them achieve their goal of advancing to the Round of 16.


Today’s game was a head-to-head match for both Korea and Spain, both needing a win in order to advance to the Round of 16. Neither team wanted a draw. Their sole goal was to win the game. The Korean team did not win the previous game, as Costa Rica scored an equalizer in the second half on June 14. Despite the objective superiority of the Spanish team, the Koreans were full of fighting spirit and did everything they could to achieve their dream.

After realizing their dream, which they set before departing for Canada, the Korean national team is calming down and focusing on writing a new page in the history of Korean football.



Though Ji So-yun did not score any goals in the match, FIFA named her as the LYG-Player of the Match, as she continued to threaten Spain’s goalposts throughout the game.

Praising her team mates, Ji said, “We lost the ball many times in the first half, but we didn't lose our focus, which brought us a good result. All our colleagues did well, so we didn't have any problems.”

She showed her desire for victory and to advance to the next quarter-final stage by saying, “France is a good team, which we will meet in the next match, but we will show them that we are not an easy team. We will show them a good match with a good spirit,” she added.

Korea and France will meet on Sunday June 21 at 4 p.m. at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, local time.

By Jeon Han, Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writers
hanjeon@korea.kr
Photo: Korea Football Association