Korea Republic women’s national team have reached the finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Colin Bell’s side beat Uzbekistan 4-0 at Pakhtakor Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Thursday to win Group E in the qualifying for the continental finals, having defeated Mongolia 12-0 last Friday. The tournament proper will be staged in India next January.

The finals of India 2022 will also act as the qualifiers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia/New Zealand 2023. Following the decision of FIFA to increase the number of participating teams from 24 to 32 last year, the AFC have been given one more ticket to have six member associations represent the continent at the showpiece event.

In Tashkent, Korea Republic took an early lead through an own goal from the hosts in the 17th minute, before Choe Yuri doubled the advantage with a header six minutes into the second half. In fact, it took almost four years and ten months for Choe to scored again for Korea Republic since her last goal in November 2016.

Moon Mira rounded off the comprehensive victory with a brace in the closing minutes, recording no fewer than five goals including a hat-trick against Mongolia in the qualifying campaign.

Meanwhile, Korea Republic’s No10 Ji Soyun scored the fifth goal for her country against Mongolia on Friday, to record her 59th international goal and become the all-time leading scorer of Korea Republic – a record previously held by Cha Bumkun, another Korean football legend.

2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifying Group E

Korea Republic 4-0 Uzbekistan

Scorers: Kamoltoeva (17’ o.g.), Choe Yuri (51’), Moon Mira (88’, 90’+4)

KOR: Yoon Younggeul; Jang Selgi, Hong Hyeji, Lim Seonjoo, Choo Hyojoo; Lee Youngju, Ji Soyun, Cho Sohyun; Choe Yuri (Moon Mira 66’), Lee Mina (Yeo Minji 76’), Lee Geummin (Park Yeeun 90’)

Mongolia 0-12 Korea Republic

Scorers: Choo Hyojoo (4’, 44’), Cho Sohyun (24’, 54’), Lee Geummin (30’, 41’), Lee Mina (32’), Ji Soyun (35’), Moon Mira (67’, 81’, 89’), Park Yeeun (88’)

KOR: Yoon Younggeul; Jang Selgi, Hong Hyeji, Lim Seonjoo, Choo Hyojoo; Lee Youngju, Ji Soyun, Cho Sohyun (Park Yeeun 77’); Choe Yuri (Yeo Minji 65’), Lee Mina (Moon Mira 65’), Lee Geummin (Kim Sungmi 77’)