Former Korea Republic captain Cho Sohyun is satisfied with the atmosphere within the national team, as the Taegeuk Nangja are preparing for the finals of the EAFF E-1 Championship. She also insists that they should embrace the ‘high-intensity game’ of coach Colin Bell, in order to play good football for the fans to enjoy the game. 

Bell’s side are preparing well for the E-1 Championship (formerly East Asian Cup), and the atmosphere within the group has never been better. The women’s national team were called up to the National Football Centre in Paju, where they have been training since 5 July. Despite the oppressive heat with the temperature soaring up to 30 degrees Celsius on Friday morning, nobody seemed to be tired during the session under the guidance of the coach himself.

Cho met with the press after the morning session, and when asked about the coach leading the training in person, she responded with a broad smile: “He always does that, running on the training ground all the time.” She added, “I think the atmosphere is fantastic, especially this time around. The coach tries to boost the morale, sometimes going to coffee shops along with the players when he has time. We’re adapting to the intensity of the training that he wants us to focus on.”

This competition is the first E-1 Championship for Cho to take part in since she went overseas to ply her trade in Europe. The EAFF E-1 Championship takes place outside the international friendly calendar scheduled by FIFA, which means the foreign-based players need permission from their clubs to participate in this tournament. Tottenham Hotspur Women were generous enough to release her for the trip to Japan, and Cho is determined to repay the faith: “I’m pleased to take part in the E-1 Championship after a long while. Now that I’m back in the competition, I’d like to play good football and win the trophy.”

As a seasoned veteran who have made 140 appearances for Korea Republic and become the most capped player – amongst both women and men – in the process, Cho is mindful of the development of women’s game in Korea as well. “I’m following the UEFA Women’s EURO, watching the goals and highlights from the tournament. And I couldn’t help but notice there were huge crowd at the stadiums [a record attendance of 68,871 at the opening match]. I think we should play some good football to attract more fans to the stadiums, for the good of women’s game in Korea and Asia as a whole.”

Her voices were echoed by the coach, who met with the press on the same day. Bell also talked about the Women’s EURO during the interview, saying that he wants to see women’s game prosper in Korea. Cho insisted that the women’s national team as well as women’s club teams should raise their game in order to attract more fans and promote women’s football as it happens in Europe.

“My club Tottenham Hotspur play in the Women’s Super League in England, where the transition between attack and defence is really fast and the physical side of the game is tougher than men’s game. I think the fans who love these aspects of the game come to the stadium and support us. As for the current national team, coach Bell aims to play high-intensity football based on quick transitions, which I think all of us should adapt to as soon as possible. Tottenham [men’s team] recently visited Korea and had a friendly with the Team K League, and I think probably the WK League should have a similar opportunity for the fans as well as the players.”

Meanwhile, the women’s part of the E-1 Championship takes place in Kashima, Japan from 19 to 26 July, with Korea Republic, Japan, China PR and Chinese Taipei competing in a round-robin format. Colin Bell’s side open their campaign against hosts Japan on 19 July, before taking on China and Chinese Taipei respectively on 23 and 26 July.

The final squad list of the women’s national team for the E-1 Championship is as follows. There was a last-minute change, however, as Moon Mira (Suwon FC) tested positive for COVID-19 and has been replaced by Jeong Yujin (Incheon Hyundai Steel) to complete a 24-woman list.

Korea Republic women’s national team for 2022 EAFF E-1 Championship (24 players)

Goalkeepers: Kim Jungmi (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Yoon Younggeul (no club affiliation), Ryu Jisoo (Seoul City)

Defenders: Lim Seonjoo, Kim Hyeri, Jang Selgi, Hong Hyeji, Jeong Yujin (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Shim Seoyeon (Seoul City), Lee Youngju (Madrid CFF)

Midfielders: Ji Soyun, Kim Yunji (Suwon FC), Cho Sohyun (Tottenham Hotspur), Lee Mina, Jang Chang (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Kim Seongmi (Sejong Sports Toto)

Forwards: Choe Yuri, Kang Chaerim, Son Hwayeon (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Jeon Eunham, Choo Hyojoo (Suwon FC), Park Eunseon, Jang Yubeen (Seoul City), Ko Minjung (Changnyeong WFC)