Korea Republic women’s national team have rounded off the friendly series in New Zealand with a win and a draw.

Colin Bell’s side drew 1-1 with New Zealand in the second match of the friendlies with the hosts at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch on Tuesday. Olivia Chance opened the scoring for the Football Ferns after 13 minutes, before Park Yeeun equalised with a clinical finish on 57 minutes.

Having claimed a 1-0 victory thanks to Lee Mina’s goal in the first encounter with the hosts, the Taegeuk Nangja could not register another win despite taking control of the game throughout.

The friendly series had been arranged as the national team were looking to climatise and adapt to the surroundings down under, ahead of their campaign for the finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next summer. Korea Republic are scheduled to play their all three matches in the group stage in Australia, but New Zealand proved to be one of the most feasible locations for familiarisation.

The visitors took control right from the off, and created their first chance of note after 11 minutes. Jang Selgi’s cross from the left was received by Son Hwayeon, whose shot was only to be denied by Victoria Esson.

However, the visitors were made to pay for an error by goalkeeper Kim Jungmi, who failed to handle the ball properly. Olivia Chance made no mistake to capitalise on the mistake to put her side ahead. Kim’s pass to a defender had been intercepted by Gabi Rennie, whose initial effort wad parried away by the custodian. But she could not stop Chance to latch onto the rebound to make it 1-0.

Despite the early blow, Korea Republic kept knocking on the door but they were unable to find a breakthrough. The battle intensified in the second half, as the visitors came out aggressively to make up for their mistake in the opening half.

And they duly did so 12 minutes after the interval, when Jang Selgi’s powerful effort was deflected in by Park Yeeun inside the area.

The women in red kept up the momentum to score more goals. Lee Mina’s shot went just over the bar on the hour mark, before Lee Geummin was brought down inside the area by Esson on 83 minutes. However, Son Hwayeon’s resulting spot-kick was blocked by Esson, and that proved to be the last opportunity for the visitors to grab another win.

Korea Republic women’s national team friendly

New Zealand 1-1 Korea Republic

Scorers: Olivia Chance 13’; Park Yeeun 57’

KOR: Kim Jungmi; Lim Seonjoo, Kim Hyeri, Choo Hyojoo, Jang Selgi, Lee Mina, Park Yeeun, Choe Yuri (Park Eunseon 90’+3), Son Hwayeon (Chun Garam 90’+3), Lee Geummin, Kang Chaerim (Jang Chang 90’+3)