Korea Republic women’s national team got off to a flying start in their preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand in July next year.

Lee Mina struck the only goal of the game on 31 minutes as Colin Bell’s side edged New Zealand 1-0 at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand on Saturday. The Taegeuk Nangja have recorded seven wins, five draws and two defeats against the Football Ferns with the result, and will face the same opposition at the same venue on Tuesday.

Korea Republic were drawn in Group H alongside Germany, Morocco and Colombia in the finals draw that took place last month. Although they are to play their group stage matches in Australia – Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane – these friendlies were important in terms of climatising in similar surroundings ahead of their campaign down under.

Bell had opted for a back three in defence since he guided his sided to runners-up finish in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup earlier this year, but his choice was a back four this time around: goalkeeper Kim Jungmi; Jang Selgi, Lim Seonju, Kim Hyeri and Choo Hyojoo at the back; Lee Mina, Kim Yoonji and Lee Geummin in midfield flanked by Choe Yuri and Kang Chaerim; Son Hwayeon up front.

With both Ji Soyun and Cho Sohyun absent in the trip to New Zealand, Bell was looking to fill the gap left by the veterans in midfield. Kim Yoonji, who had impressed in the E-1 Championship in July, took a defensive midfield role behind the attack-minded Lee Mina and Lee Geummin.

The midfield duo pulled the strings right from the off. Jang Selgi tried her luck from distance on 25 minutes, following some fluid moves from Lee Mina’s through ball to Lee Geummin’s cross.

Six minutes later, Lee Mina latched onto Choo Hyojoo’s low cross to score her 17th goal for Korea Republic. Kang Chaerim then saw her left-foot effort sail over the crossbar, following a through ball from Lee Geummin on the stroke of halftime.

The Taegeuk Nangja picked up where they had left off, as Son Hwayeon, Choe Yuri and then Lee Mina poured quick-fire efforts on the hosts’ goal only to be denied by the goalkeeper.

At the opposite end, Olivia Chance intercepted a pass to break into the edge of the area before firing a left-foot shot against the right post. Bell responded by resting some of the key players, bringing Park Yeeun on for Lim Seonjoo on 73 minutes. Park Eunseon then came off the bench to replace on 83 minutes, as the coach looked to capitalise on her aerial prowess.

Korea Republic survived another wave of counterattack, with another Olivia Chance effort ricocheting off the woodwork with ten minutes remaining. But the visitors held on in the closing minutes to claim a deserved victory.

Korea Republic women’s national team international friendly

New Zealand 0-1 Korea Republic

Scorer: Lee Mina 31’

KOR: Kim Jungmi; Jang Selgi, Lim Seonjoo (Park Yeeun 73’), Kim Hyeri, Choo Hyojoo, Lee Mina, Kim Yoonji, Lee Geummin, Choe Yuri, Kang Chaerim (Park Eunseon 83’), Son Hwayeon