Korea Republic women’s national team got off to a flying start to the second round of qualifying for the Olympic Games Football Tournament Paris 2024.

Colin Bell’s side defeated Thailand 10-1 in their Group B opener at the Egret Stadium in Xiamen, China on Thursday, with Casey Phair and Chun Garam netting a hat-trick of goals respectively and Kang Chaerim, Lee Geummin and Moon Mira also on target. Korea Republic are set to take on Korea DPR on Sunday and then China PR on Wednesday as they look to advance to the final qualifying round.

In the second round of qualifying for Paris 2024, 12 participating teams are divided into three groups of four teams in the group stage. Three group winners and a runner-up with best results advance to the final qualifying round, where the four teams will compete for the two tickets to the Olympics allocated to Asia.

Since there is no age limit in the Olympic Games women’s football tournament, senior national teams take part in the competition. Korea Republic have never reached the finals of the Olympic Games since the inaugural edition of women’s football took place at Atlanta 1996.

Bell opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation: Casey Phair started as a lone striker up front, supported by Jeon Eunha; Chun Garam, Ji Soyun, Jang Selgi and Kang Chaerim in midfield; Choo Hyojoo, Shim Seoyeon, Kim Hyeri and Lee Eunyoung at the back; and Kim Jungmi between the sticks.


 

Korea Republic took control in the early stages of the game, but they struggled to create any clear-cut chances until the 33rd minute. Phair then drew first blood with her first international goal, after receiving a pass from Ji Soyun on the edge of the area. Phair became the second youngest goalscorer for Korea Republic at the age of 16 years and 119 days, after none other than Ji who opened her account against Chinese Taipei in 2006 at the age of 15 years and 282 days.

The Taegeuk Nangja geared up to extend their lead. Chun Garam doubled the advantage with a clinical finish on 36 minutes, and then three minutes later Kang Chaerim latched onto an attempted clearance to make it 3-0.

The fourth goal came four minutes into the second half. Kang Chaerim sent a low cross from the right, and as Jeon Eunha cleaverly laid the ball off an onrushing Chun made no mistake to score her second goal of the afternoon.

Korea Republic maintained their attack-minded approach to the game despite the four-goal cushion. On 54 minutes, a fluid set of moves saw Jang Selgi lurking deep into space before setting up Kang for her second goal.

Phair then stole the show with a brace inside ten minutes to complete her hat-trick. She intercepted the ball from goalkeeper Tiffany Sornpao to score her second on 56 minutes, before latching onto a through ball from Lee Geummin to become the youngest Korea Republic player ever to record a hat-trick.

Meanwhile, the substitutes rose to the occasion as well. Lee Geummin put her name on the scoresheet after receiving a through pass from Jang Selgi on 68 minutes, and four minutes later Moon Mira latched onto a rebound after Chun Garam’s initial effort had been blocked by the goalkeeper.

Chun did manage to complete her hat-trick midway through the second half, converting a Choo Hyojoo cross with a glancing header to make it 10-0.

However, Korea Republic failed to keep a clean sheet as substitute Rinyaphat Moondong pulled one back with only Kim Jungmi to beat deep into added time.

Second round of qualifying for Olympic Games Paris 2024

Group B

Korea Republic 10-1 Thailand

Goals: Casey Phair 33’, 56’, 66’, Chun Garam 36’, 49’, 75’, Kang Chaerim 39’, 54’, Lee Geummin 68’, Moon Mira 72’, Rinyaphat Moondong 90’+3

KOR: Kim Jungmi, Choo Hyojoo, Shim Seoyeon, Kim Hyeri, Lee Eunyoung (Lee Youngju 62’), Jang Selgi, Ji Soyun, Chun Garam (Kim Seyeon 76’), Kang Chaerim (Moon Mira 62’), Jeon Eunha (Lee Geummin 62’), Casey Phair (Kwon Daeun 84’)