SOUTH Korea lived up to its billing as the favorite yesterday, shutting out the Philippines 2-0 to advance to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup championship match for the first time at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune, India.
Ranked No. 39 to the No. 64 of their rivals in the FIFA world ratings, the South Koreans pounced early in the fourth minute, with Cho Syu Hyun scoring a header inside the box from a right corner kick, the ball slipping through goalie Olivia McDaniel’s fingers and into the net.
With the Philippine defense caught off-guard again, Son Hwa-Yeon scored the second marker from point plank range in the 34th minute, giving the dominant Taejuk Ladies a 2-0 lead at the break that they kept until the end of the match.
More goals could have been scored by Korea if not for another outstanding performance by McDaniel, who came through with several timely saves in the last 45 minutes.
South Korea will face on Sunday the winner of the other semifinal match between defending champion Japan and China that was to be played late Thursday night.
The best shot the Pinay booters had was when Sarina Bolden tried to score on a header in the 32nd minute, but it was too weak and rolled wide to the left side of the net.
Despite the loss, the Filipinas bowed out with their heads high, having achieved their target in the continental competition — booking a historic ticket to the FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup after a pulsating 4-3 quarterfinal win over Chinese-Taipei in a penalty shootout last Monday.
They also emerged as the best Philippine football squad to ever perform on the international stage as they reached the semifinals of the Asian women’s soccer showcase for the first time on top of setting a couple of other milestones against higher rated foes.
They broke the jinx against Southeast Asian nemesis Thailand with a 1-0 win in the group stage as well as the down-the-wire first-time triumph over the Taiwanese last Monday.
“It was a very tough match. We lost to a better team in South Korea. The pressure really came with that corner kick. We are really disappointed with that,” said Australian coach Alen Stajcic at the post-match briefing, acknowledging that playing the marathon match against Thailand might have taken its toll on his squad.
Nonetheless, Stajcic doffed his hat off to his wards, saying: “After playing 120 minutes three days ago they fought right to the death. It showed an amazing heart, courage, and spirit in this group. They could have thrown in the towel, but they played until the last kick.
I am so proud of them.
“Everyone who knows their football should consider them as martyrs because they kept on running despite the short turnaround, which is truly phenomenal.”
Speaking on behalf of the Nationals, Bolden, with a lump on her throat, noted that “a lot of people doubted us but we fought every single game. And now we’ve made a name for ourselves.
“The Philippines is going to remember this team and they’ll see us in the World Cup. So don’t forget us. We’re coming back.”
Hinting that he would remain at the helm, Stajcic stressed that his wards overperformed and that “the expectations have been raised. We have 18 months to prepare now for the World Cup and we will make sure that we will do everything to get these player the maximum chance to perform at that stage.”
Halftime statistics showed the charges of British mentor Colin Bell had 80 percent of the ball most of the time compared to their rivals’ 20 percent to underscore the South Korean dominance that carried into the second half.
Apparently confident that South Korea would be able to hang on for the win and as a testament to the team’s depth, Bell pulled top midfielder Ji Soyuun out early in the second half to preserve her for the championship match on Sunday.
