Korea Republic women’s national team came from behind to beat Zambia in a tune-up game to prepare for their encounter with Morocco at the FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer.

Colin Bell’s side defeated Zambia 5-2 at Suwon World Cup Stadium on Friday. Cho Sohyun opened the scoring after 24 minutes, before Rachael Kundananji and Barbra Banda made it 2-1 on the stroke of half-time. The Taegeuk Ladies bounced back after the interval through a Lee Geummin brace and another goal from Cho, before Park Eunsun registered her first goal in nine years since she found the net against Australia during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2014.

Korea Republic will play against the same opponents once more at Yongin Mir Stadium on Tuesday.

The sides had never faced one another before Friday’s match, as the hosts welcomed an African team for the first time on home soil. Zambia had been invited to the two-game series of friendlies as Korea Republic looked to familiarise with an African opposition ahead of the clash with Morocco in the group stage of the world finals in Australia and New Zealand in July.

Bell opted for a back three he had chosen against England at the Arnold Clark Cup in February. Son Hwayeon started up front as a lone striker flanked by Choo Hyojoo and Jung Seolbin; Cho Sohyun, making her return to the national team after a nine-month layoff, Lee Geummin, Jang Selgi and Kim Yunji in midfield; Lim Seonjoo, Hong Hyeji and Kim Hyeri at the back; and Kim Jungmin between the sticks. Ji Soyun, Choe Yuri and Shim Seoyeon had been ruled out due to niggling injuries.

The hosts surged forward after opening exchanges, with Choo Hyojoo marauding on the left flank and switching into the middle of the park. After just three minutes, Choo dribbled through three defenders on the left side to send an inviting cross, only for Jung to fire just over the crossbar. Choo went on to orchestrate the attack whilst switching positions with Cho Sohyun in the middle. Six minutes later, Choo set Lee Geummin through on goal with a neat pass, but the No9 could only shoot straight at Catherine Musonda.

Cho Sohyun then found a breakthrough on 24 minutes. From a left corner, Lee Geummin laid the ball over to Kim Hyeri, who sent an accurate ball across the goalmouth to Cho. The former captain made no mistake from close range, firing an unstoppable effort past Musonda.

However, the host were dealt an unexpected blow after the half-hour mark, as Lim Seonjoo received a knock in a mid-air collision with Barbra Banda. Whilst the centre-back was stretchered off the pitch, the hosts were outnumbered and left vulnerable from the Zambian attack. On 38 minutes, Racheal Kundananji latched onto a loose ball amidst a goalmouth scramble to score the equaliser. Chun Garam then came off the bench to replace injured Lim, with Choo moving into the left back position.

Korea Republic found themselves suddenly on the back foot, and shortly fell behind on the stroke of half-time. Kundananji sent a deep cross from the right, and with Kim Jungmi stranded, Banda flicked the ball inside the far post to make it 2-1.

Bell responded by bringing centre forward Park Eunsun on for Jung Seolbin after the interval, transforming the defence into a back four with Jang Selgi, Kim Hyeri, Hong Hyeji and Choo Hyojoo.

The tactical change paid dividends 13 minutes into the second half. Park nodded a long ball into the path of an onrushing Lee Geummin, who found the net with a sublime lob from the left side of the area.

Park had reinforced the aerial firepower as the hosts began to create various opportunities midway through the second half. Son Hwayeon’s cross from the left was laid into the centre by Park, before Cho saw her ferocious effort ricochet off the post on the hour mark.

Two minutes later, Lee Geummin struck again. The livewire forward dribbled past three defenders before firing a low shot past the desperate hands of Musonda.

Korea Republic went further ahead with Cho Sohyun latching onto a Chun Garam cross on 85 minutes, before Park Eunsun capitalised on a goalkeeping mistake in added time to put the result beyond doubt.

Women’s National Team Friendly presented by Shinsege Emart

Korea Republic 5-2 Zambia

Scorers: Cho Sohyun 24’, 39’, Lee Geummin 58’, 62’, Park Eunsun 90’+1; Racheal Kundananji 38’, Barbra Banda 45’+2

KOR: Kim Jungmi, Lim Seonjoo (Chun Garam 39’), Hong Hyeji, Kim Hyeri, Cho Sohyun, Lee Geummin, Jang Selgi, Kim Yunji, Choo Hyojoo, Jeong Seolbin (Park Eunsun 46’), Son Hwayeon (Bae Yebin 90’+3)