Korea Republic women’s national team lost 2-0 against New Zealand in the second match of the friendly series.

Colin Bell’s side suffered a stunning defeat at the hands of the Football Ferns at Goyang Stadium on Tuesday, conceding quick-fire goals from substitutes Paige Satchell and Gabi Rennie against the run of play in the closing minutes. The hosts had come from behind to beat the same opponent 2-1 in Goyang on Saturday.

Korea Republic have warmed up for the finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 with the friendlies with New Zealand, in which Bell could experiment the starting lineup and various combinations of his players at disposal.

In fact, the coach made a couple of changes up front, deploying right winger Choo Hyojoo as a centre forward flanked by Yeo Minji and Choe Yuri. Choo was also marauding on the left flank with enormous work rate, after switching positions with Yeo midway through the first half. Cho Sohyun, Ji Soyun and Lee Youngju started in midfield; Jang Selgi, Shim Seoyeon, Lim Seonjoo and Kim Hyeri at the back; goalkeeper Kim Jungmi.

Korea Republic picked up where they had left off in the second half of the first match, piling pressure on their opponents with swift transitions and switching wide positions at a higher tempo. Choo and Lee Youngju tested Victoria Esson with efforts from inside the area, before Choo dragged her shot just wide. Yeo’s header off a Jang cross from the left was again denied by Esson.

The hosts kept up the pressure to create a golden opportunity on 29 minutes, when Ji’s curling effort from the edge of the area ricocheted off the crossbar. Choe was on hand to attempt a looping header off the rebound, but Essen did well to parry the ball away. Ji then latched onto the loose ball to fire another shot, only to hit the roof of the net with the keeper beaten.

The women in red kept knocking on New Zealand’s door, with Cho trying her luck from the edge of the box. The hosts took complete control by putting high pressure up front, whilst the visitors tried to turn the tide with an early substitution that would prove crucial in the later stage of the game.

New Zealand found a breakthrough after the interval, with substitute Satchell breaking into space behind the Korean rearguard. Betsy Hassett then forced a fine save from Kim Jungmi shortly before the hour mark.

Korea Republic regain control midway through the second period, as they went out searching for the opening goal. Choe set up Choo with a perfectly timed header, but the latter could only fire her volley wide. Bell made changes across all departments as the half wore on, bringing Park Yeeun and Hong Hyeji on for Cho and Shim, before forwards Son Hwayeon Lee Geummin came off the bench to replace Yeo and Choe.

However, it was the visitors that drew first blood against the run of play. Olivia Chance connected with a long ball from behind to put Satchell through on goal, and the fleet-footed forward broke into the area to open the scoring. Moments later, another counterattack saw Chance curl a cross from the right into the path of an onrushing Rennie, who made no mistake from close range to double her side’s advantage.

The result seemed beyond doubt all of a sudden, but the hosts did not give up without a fight as they went all out to reduce the deficit. However, it was too little, too late, as the matched ended in a 2-0 defeat.

Women’s National Team Friendlies

Korea Republic 0-2 New Zealand

Scorers: Paige Satchell 83’, Gabi Rennie 85’

KOR: Kim Jungmi; Jang Selgi, Shim Seoyeon (Hong Hyeji 73’), Lim Seonjoo, Kim Hyeri; Cho Sohyun (Park Yeeun 73’), Ji Soyun, Lee Youngju (Kim Seongmi 90’); Yeo Minji (Son Hwayeon 79’), Choo Hyojoo, Choe Yuri (Lee Geummin 79’)