Women’s World Cup Preview – Group E

KOREA REPUBLIC – 66/1

Yoon Deok-Yeo’s side booked their place in the Finals for the second time in 12 years after finishing in 4th place in the AFC Women’s Cup. Park Eu-Sun scored a hat-trick and set-up another in the 4-0 over the Thais to confirm their involvement in Canada 2015.

The Korean’s boast one of the most formidable strike-forces in Asia, with AFC Women’s Cup Golden boot winner, Park Eu-Sun, who debuted at just 16 and Chelsea’s Ji So-Yun. Captained by the lynchpin of clockwork organisation, Defensive Midfielder Cho So-Hyun and with veteran goalkeeper Kim Jung-Mi eyeing her second World Cup, could possibly cause an upset or two.

Coach Deok-Yeo, 54, a stalwart Center-back in his playing days, took part in the 1990 World Cup in Italy before hanging his boots up the following year. He was appointed as the Women’s coach in December 2013 having led the Taegeuk Nangja at the 2003 Under-17 World Cup in Finland.

The Korean’s debuted at Women’s World Cup in 2003 and had a baptism of fire with 3 consecutive defeats to Brazil, France and Norway.

ONE TO WATCH – JI SO-YUN

The 3 time Korean Footballer of the Year, Ji So-Yun plays for English side Chelsea Ladies, scoring 3 goals in her 9 games and helping them to currently sit at the top of the Women’s Super League One. Upon signing for the London club, Chelsea Ladies boss Emma Hayes said of the current PFA Women’s Player of the Year, “Ji is one of the best midfielders in the world and our fans with love her.”

FIXTURES

09 JUNE      00:00     BRAZIL                       Olympic Stadium, Montreal

13 JUNE       00:00     COSTA RICA             Olympic Stadium, Montreal

17 JUNE       00:00     SPAIN                         Lansdowne Stadium, Ottawa