Korea Republic women’s national team got off to a winning start to the group stage of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Colin Bell’s charges defeated Vietnam 3-0 in their Group C opener at Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune, India on Friday. Captain Ji Soyun scored in each half, including one from the spot, to lead her side to victory. Korea Republic are pitted against Vietnam, Myanmar and Japan in Group C.

Bell opted for a 4-3-3 formation: Yeo Minji, Son Hwayeon and Choe Yuri up front, with a WSL trio of Cho Sohyun, Ji Soyun and Lee Geummin in midfield; Jang Selgi, Lee Youngju, Lim Seonjoo and Choo Hyojoo at the back; Kim Jungmi between the sticks.

Korea Republic surged forward right from the outset to take an early lead. Son thought she had put her side ahead after just three minutes, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Moments later, however, they put the disappointment behind them thanks to a clinical finish from their captain. Choe intercepted the ball in the final third to pass it through to Lee Geummin, who set up Ji lurking into the edge of the area to open the scoring.

They went further ahead on seven minutes, when Lee Geummin doubled the lead with a glancing header off a Choe cross from the right. The goal later turned out to be an own goal scored by Vietnam defender Tran Thi Phuong Thao.

The women in red did not rest on the two-goal cushion, but they kept knocking on the Vietnamese door. Fullbacks Jang and Choo created a series of chances, constantly marauding on both flanks midway through the opening half. Jang saw her effort following Cho’s cross saved by Tran Thi Kim Thanh on 17 minutes.

It was fair to say that Korea Republic dominated the proceedings with no fewer than 14 attempts on and off the target in the first half, but were unable to score more goals against the stubborn Vietnamese defence. Choe and Choo combined to create an impressive opening on the right flank on the stroke of half-time, only for Son to shoot wide to waste a golden opportunity.

Korea Republic picked up where they had left off, as the second half got underway. For their part, Vietnam fought back looking to counterattack although they were unable to create any clear-cut chances. Their first corner, ten minutes after the break, was safely smothered by Kim Jungmi.

The Taegeuk Nangja were looking to score more goals in order to have edge on goal difference over the group favourites Japan, but only a series of near misses followed midway through the second half. Jang saw her audacious effort smash the crossbar, before Choe intercepted the ball on the right side of the area to shoot just wide. Choe could only drag her shot off a Cho cross straight at the goalkeeper, and moments later, Son’s header was denied by the woodwork.

The deadlock was to be finally broken again on 79 minutes, as the referee pointed the spot for a handball inside the area. Ji stepped up for the resulting penalty and converted it to make it 3-0 for Korea Republic.

Bell reshuffled his side with four substitutions in the closing minutes, as Korea Republic piled the pressure to create more opportunities to score. Substitutes Lee Mina and Seo Jiyoun led the attack deep into added time, but that proved not enough to score more goals. Korea Republic will take on Myanmar on Monday at the same venue for their second group game.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022

Group C

Korea Republic 3-0 Vietnam

Scorers: Ji Soyun 4’, 81’(pen), Tran Thi Phuong Thao 7’(o.g.)

KOR: Kim Jungmi; Jang Selgi, Lee Youngju, Lim Seonju, Choo Hyojoo; Cho Sohyun (Lee Jeongmin 88’), Ji Soyun, Lee Geummin (Lee Mina 81’); Yeo Minji (Kim Seongmi 69’), Son Hwayeon (Seo Jiyoun 88’), Choe Yuri