SEOUL — South Korea played North Korea to a goalless draw in a women's Olympic football qualifying match on Sunday, maintaining their chances to qualify for the 2024 Summer Games in Paris. The match was a part of the second round of the Asian Olympic qualifiers in Group B and took place at Xiamen Egret Stadium in Xiamen, China.
According to a new release by Yonhap News Agency, South Korea had opportunities but failed to capitalize on them. The team also successfully defended their own end during the match. The goalless draw did not allow South Korea to settle the score following their 4-1 loss to North Korea in the quarterfinals of the Asian Games on September 30 in China.
South Korea remains at the top of Group B with four points, after previously defeating Thailand 10-1 last Thursday. North Korea also holds four points in the group but is behind South Korea in goal difference, with the figures standing at 9-1.
South Korea is scheduled to play their last match of the second round against China in Xiamen on Wednesday, starting at 8:35 p.m. Korean time. The second round features three groups of four nations each. The group winners and the best runner-up will advance to the third round. The winners of the two-legged third round, planned for February 2024, will qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
China is expected to win against Thailand later on Sunday and reach three points in the group. North Korea is also expected to defeat Thailand easily in a match set for Wednesday. For South Korea to win Group B, they need to beat China and maintain their goal difference advantage over North Korea.
In historical context, South Korea has struggled in inter-Korean matches, with only one win against four draws and 16 losses in 21 total meetings. Against China, South Korea has lost 29 out of 41 matches, registering only five wins and seven draws. Their most recent win against China occurred in 2015.
Women's football became a part of the Olympic Games in 1996, and South Korea has never qualified for the event.