Korea Republic women’s national team claimed a goalless draw against the United States, who are currently ranked No1 in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

Colin Bell’s side drew 0-0 with USA at Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City on Friday. Goalkeeper Yoon Younggeul stole the show with a series of fine saves against the hosts, who could not find a breakthrough against a well organised defence despite making 19 attempts on goal with eight shots on target.

It was Korea Republic’s second stalemate with USA in two years, since the 1-1 draw in the second match of a two-game friendly series in October 2019. USA’s 22-game winning streak at home since then came to an end with the result in Kansas. The second match of the series will take place in Allianz Field, Saint Paul, Minnesota on Wednesday.

Bell fielded a full-strength squad against USA, spearheaded by Choe Yuri, Ji Soyun and Lee Geummin up front; Cho Sohyun, Lee Youngju and Park Yeeun in midfield; Jang Selgi, Hong Hyeji, Lim Seonjoo and Choo Hyojoo at the back; Yoon Younggeul between the sticks.

The hosts surged forward from the outset, with Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath leading their three-pronged attack. At the opposite end, Lee Geummin shot just wide against the run of play after nine minutes.

Linsay Horan tried her luck with an audacious effort on 13 minutes, before Yoon was again called into action with Horan’s header off a Kelley O’Hara six minutes later. Yoon did well to deny Morgan and then Rapinoe midway through the first half.

Despite the waves of attack from USA, the visitors kept their nerves to regroup and play their own passing game. On 35 minutes, Jang latched onto a loose ball to shoot straight at Adrianna Franch, after Choe’s header off a Lee Geummin cross was denied by the goalkeeper.

The hosts picked up where they had left off as the second half got underway, making a couple of substitutions to enhance speed and movement on the flanks. Rose Lavelle’s header off a corner was only denied by a fingertip save from Yoon on 57 minutes.

Carli Lloyd then came off the bench shortly after the hour mark, making her penultimate appearance for her country at the age of 39. Bell responded by bringing Yeo Minji on to reinforce the attack, as the visitors sat back and waited for their chances to counter. Lee Geummin fired an effort just over the crossbar on 66 minutes.

Yoon proved to be the heroine of the night, denying Lloyd with a reflex save on 76 minutes. Lloyd’s header was blocked once again in the closing minutes, as Korea Republic held on for a hard-fought draw.

International Friendlies

United States 0-0 Korea Republic

KOR: Yoon Younggeul; Jang Selgi, Hong Hyeji, Lim Seonjoo, Choo Hyojoo (Jeong Younga 47’); Cho Sohyun, Lee Youngju, Park Yeeun (Yeo Minji 63’); Choe Yuri, Ji Soyun, Lee Geummin (Kim Hyeri 88’)