Korea Republic women’s national team defeated Vietnam 3-0 in a friendly presented by Shinsegae Emart.

Choe Yuri, Kang Chaerim and Lee Geummin put their names on the scoresheet as Colin Bell’s side claimed a 3-0 victory over Vietnam at Goyang Stadium on Saturday, as they extended their winning streak against the Southeast Asians to 13 matches.

The hosts made an attack-minded approach against the Vietnamese: Son Hwayeon up front as a lone striker flanked by Kang, Lee and Choe; Lee Mina and Lee Youngju in central midfield; Choo Hyojoo, Shim Seoyeon, Lim Seonjoo and Kim Hyeri at the back; Yoon Younggeul between the sticks.

The Taegeuk Nangja surged forward from the outset, with fullbacks Choo and Kim marauding on the flanks to create chances. However, they struggled to convert a series of golden opportunities to draw first blood – with quick fire headers from Choe and Lim denied by the crossbar in the space of two minutes. The visitors, for their part, fought back with counters launched by captain Huynh Nhu.

It was fair to say that Korea Republic still lacked some finishing touch midway thorough the first half. Son miscued her pointblank effort amidst a goalmouth scramble, before Choe fired just over the crossbar from close range. Son then curled a powerful effort against the crossbar, much to the disappointment of the home crowd.

The deadlock was finally broken after 38 minutes. Kim Hyeri’s cross from the right side of the area was picked up by Choe, as the ball came across the crowded goalmouth before going in off the belly of the live wire forward. She seemed a bit reluctant to express her delight after the awkward goal, but took some time to smother the pain before joining her teammates in celebrating the opener.

Kim Jungmi came off the bench to replace Yoon during the interval, as the hosts continued their dominance after the restart. And it was only a matter of time for the women in red to double their advantage early in the second half.

On 53 minutes, Choo’s effort from the edge of the area was deflected by a Vietnam defender and the loose ball fell into the path of Kang. The Hyundai Steel winger made no mistake from close range, scoring her first goal on her return from a one-year layoff due to injury.

With the two-goal cushion in mind, the hosts were in full throttle testing various routes to extend their lead. Lee Geummin broke into the area to see her shot denied by Tran Thanh, but the Vietnamese custodian could not hold off another effort from Lee on 67 minutes.

Bell brought Park Yeeun and Jung Seolbin on for Lee Mina and Son Hwayeon on 72 minutes, as Jung made her first appearance for Korea Republic in two years and four months since December 2019. With ten minutes remaining, Jeong Younga, Kwon Hahnul and Jang Yubin came off the bench to replace Shim Seoyeon, Lee Youngju and Kang Chaerim respectively, with Jang making her senior debut as a Taegeuk Nangja.

As if the three-goal lead was not enough, Korea Republic piled the pressure searching for more goals. On 90 minutes, Jung glanced a header just wide following a Kim Hyeri cross, before missing another chance to celebrate her return deep into added time.

Korea Republic women’s national team friendly presented by Shinsegae Emart

Korea Republic 3-0 Vietnam

Scorers: Choe Yuri 38’, Kang Chaerim 53’, Lee Geummin 67’

KOR: Yoon Younggeul (Kim Jungmi 46’); Choo Hyojoo, Shim Seoyeon (Jeong Younga 80’), Lim Seonjoo, Kim Hyeri; Lee Youngju (Kwon Hahnul 80’), Lee Mina (Park Yeeun 72’); Kang Chaerim (Jang Yubin 80’), Lee Geummin, Choe Yuri; Son Hwayeon (Jung Seolbin 72’)