Korea Republic women’s national team claimed their second win in as many games against the Philippines on the back of the fastest goal scored by Choo Hyojoo.
 

Colin Bell’s side defeated the Philippines 2-1 in the second friendly staged at Icheon Sports Complex on Monday. Choo Hyojoo struck as early as 27 seconds after the kick-off and Choe Yuri made it 2-0 midway through the first half, before Angela Beard pulled one back for the visitors in the second period.
 

Choo made history by becoming the fastest scorer for Korea Republic, surpassing Sung Hyuna’s previous record of 38 seconds against Hong Kong during the group stage of the 2003 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
 

Having defeated the Philippines 3-0 through goals from Choe Yuri, Ji Soyun and Jang Selgi on Friday, the Taegeuk Nangja claimed their second win in as many friendlies with the Southeast Asians – recording six victories over the Philippines in six meetings.
 

Korea Republic are set to travel to the United States for a series of friendlies with the hosts in June. Although they do not take part in major competitions this year after missing out on the Olympic Games football tournament Paris 2024, the national team have undergone a rebuilding process ahead of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup as well as the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. They had mixed results in the friendlies with Czechia (2-1 win) and Portugal (5-1 defeat) in February, before rediscovering their winning mentality against the Philippines amidst a generation shift.

Bell stuck with the back three that he had deployed last week, despite making six changes to the side that claimed the comprehensive win: Choe Yuri and Lee Geummin stared alongside one another up front, with Ji Soyun supporting the duo as an attacking midfielder; Choo Hyojoo, Jang Selgi, Jeon Eunha and Kang Chaerim started in midfield; Lee Youngju, Go Yuna and Kim Hyeri at the back; with Choi Yeseul replacing veteran custodian Kim Jungmi.
 

Korea Republic surged forward from the outset to convert their first attack of note. Choe Yuri’s low cross from the right was laid off by Kang Chaerim into the path of an onrushing Choo Hyojoo, who was on hand to slot the ball into an empty net.
 

The hosts kept up the early pressure to launch waves of attack. Eight minutes later, Choe Yuri dragged a low shot just wide of the left post, before Kang Chaerim’s header and efforts from Jang Selgi and then Lee Geummin were all blocked by Olivia McDaniel midway through the first half.
 

The visitors, for their part, fought back through a set-piece, only to be denied by acrobatic saves from Choi Yeseul. On 25 minutes, a Philippines free-kick fell into the crowded area where the ball was deflected into the goalmouth. Choi did well to parry the ball away with her left hand, before stopping Hali Long’s point-blank effort with her left foot.
 

Having made her international debut against Hong Kong during the group stage of the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year, Choi was given her first start in her second appearance as a Taegeuk Nangja on Monday evening. She lived up to the expectation of coach Bell, who had stuck with his first-choice goalkeeper Kim Jungmi in the first game of these friendlies.

Korea Republic went further ahead after 33 minutes, when Choe Yuri who had set up the opening goal turned into scorer herself. Kang Chaerim found Choe lurking into the goalmouth with a low cross from the right, and the livewire forward made no mistake from close range to score her second goal in as many games – and celebrate the occasion with her trademark ‘heart arrow’ into the stands.
 

The women in red piled the pressure right into the second half, but were unable to extend their two-goal lead, with Choe’s effort from a Lee Geummin cross ricocheting off the crossbar. On 63 minutes, Kim Hyeri and then Go Yuna came tantalisingly close to scoring after a corner, but McDaniel did well to clear the ball away from danger.
 

However, it was the Philippines that scored in the second half, with Angela Beard curling a sublime effort in from a free-kick. Bell responded by reinforcing the attack as Moon Mira and Casey Yujin Phair coming off the bench, but the hosts could not translate their dominance into another goal until the final whistle was blown.

Women’s football international friendly presented by Shinsegae Emart

Korea Republic 2-1 Philippines

Goals: Choo Hyojoo 1’, Choe Yuri 33’; Angela Beard 74’

KOR: Choi Yeseul, Lee Youngju, Go Yuna, Kim Hyeri, Choo Hyojoo, Jang Selgi, Jeon Eunha (Moon Mira 73’), Kang Chaerim (Casey Yujin Phair 78’), Choe Yuri, Ji Soyun, Lee Geummin (Cho Sohyun 86’)