South Korea's women's national football team advanced to the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, securing direct qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
The team, led by head coach Shin Sang-woo, demolished Uzbekistan 6-0 in the quarterfinal match held at Stadium Australia in Sydney on January 14.
South Korea has now reached the Asian Cup semifinals for the second consecutive tournament, following the 2022 India tournament where the team achieved its first-ever final appearance and runner-up finish. With this semifinal berth, South Korea has secured a spot in next year's Women's World Cup in Brazil.
The 12-nation Asian Cup grants World Cup qualification to the four semifinalists and two additional teams that survive the playoff among eliminated quarterfinalists.
This marks South Korea's fifth Women's World Cup qualification overall. Since the 2015 Canada tournament, where they reached the round of 16, the team has qualified for four consecutive World Cups. South Korea will face the winner of the Japan-Philippines quarterfinal in the semifinal match in Sydney on January 18.
Coach Shin deployed Son Hwa-yeon (Gangjin WFC) as the lone striker, with Choi Yu-ri (Suwon FC Women) and Park Soo-jung (AC Milan) on the flanks. The midfield featured Ji So-yun (Suwon FC Women), Kim Shin-ji (Rangers), and Moon Eun-ju (Hwacheon KSPO).
The four-back defense consisted of Kim Hye-ri (Suwon FC Women), Jang Seul-gi (Gyeongju Hanwon), Noh Jin-young (Mungyeong Sangmu), and Go Yu-jin (Incheon Hyundai Steel). Ryu Ji-su (Sejong Sports Toto) started in goal instead of Kim Min-jung (Hyundai Steel), who had played in the group stage.
Pressing Uzbekistan from the opening whistle, South Korea took the lead just nine minutes in through Son Hwa-yeon. Receiving a long ball from Choi Yu-ri in midfield, Son controlled the ball inside the right side of the penalty area and calmly finished with her right foot.
Riding the momentum, South Korea extended their lead to 2-0 before halftime when defender Go Yu-jin struck a sharp right-footed shot from near the penalty arc in the 20th minute.
At the start of the second half, coach Shin substituted Kim Hye-ri and Kim Shin-ji with Chu Hyo-joo and Jung Min-young (both from Ottawa). Park Soo-jung added a third goal from a corner kick sequence in the 57th minute, effectively sealing the victory. South Korea maintained control even after replacing Choi Yu-ri with Kang Chae-rim (Montreal) in the 64th minute. "Living legend" Ji So-yun joined the scoring in the 72nd minute, extending her record to 75 international goals—the most by any South Korean player, male or female.
South Korea comfortably managed the closing stages, giving goalkeeper Woo Seo-bin (Seoul City) her first senior international appearance in the 83rd minute. Lee Eun-young (Gangjin WFC), who had replaced Moon Eun-ju in the 76th minute, scored the fifth goal in the 85th minute. Lee then earned a penalty in stoppage time, which Jang Seul-gi converted to complete the 6-0 shutout victory.