Osaka: Shin Sang-woo, head coach of the South Korean women's national football team competing at this month's Asian Games, expressed his ambition to make history for the nation by securing its first gold medal in this prestigious continental competition.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea is among 12 nations divided into three groups of four at the Asian Games in Japan. The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-place teams, will progress to the quarterfinals. South Korea, ranked 19th globally, is set to face 11th-ranked North Korea in Group F, with 55th-ranked Myanmar and 107th-ranked Bangladesh as additional opponents.
South Korea opens its campaign against Myanmar next Monday at 7:30 p.m. and will compete against Bangladesh at 4 p.m. on Sept. 17, both matches taking place in Osaka, approximately 140 kilometers west of Nagoya, the main host city. The highly anticipated all-Korean showdown is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Sept. 21 in Fukuroi, about 100 kilometers east of Nagoya.
Women's football debuted at the Asian Games in 1990, with China, Japan, and North Korea each securing three gold medals. South Korea has earned three consecutive bronze medals in 2010, 2014, and 2018, having lost to North Korea in the quarterfinals at the last Asian Games in 2023.
"The big goal is to change the color of our medal," Shin told reporters before a training session at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, 90 kilometers south of Seoul. "We have won bronze medals before. We would love to reach the final this time and change the color." When asked if fans could expect a gold medal, Shin confidently affirmed, "Yes."
Shin highlighted the importance of achieving smaller goals to accomplish their ultimate objective. "Our last group match is against North Korea, and if we win that one (and finish first in the group), we will get to stay in Fukuroi for the rest of the knockout stage," Shin said, aligning with many pundits' expectations of a battle for the top spot between the two Koreas.
"Of course, matches against Myanmar and Bangladesh will also be important, but we will try to be well-prepared for the North Korea match. We have to win that one to give ourselves some good momentum," he added.
The quarterfinals are slated for Sept. 25, with two matches each in Osaka and Fukuroi. Fukuroi will host the semifinals on Sept. 29, followed by the bronze medal match and the final on Oct. 2.
The South Korean women have historically struggled against North Korea, securing only one win in 21 encounters, along with four draws and 16 losses. That sole victory dates back to August 2005.
Shin praised the leadership of veteran players like Ji So-yun, South Korea's all-time leader with 176 caps and 75 goals. "Ji So-yun and other senior players are leading by example, and it is my responsibility as their head coach to help them win a medal of a different color," Shin stated. "I think younger players feel the same way."
Ji, who has never defeated North Korea in her international career that began in 2006, emphasized the importance of "mental fortitude" in the upcoming match. "I think the outcome will depend on who will make fewer mistakes," Ji remarked. "We all know that we have to get past North Korea to get to where we want to. They are always an extremely difficult opponent. But to win gold, we have to beat strong teams. It will be a matter of who can focus better and who plays with a stronger sense of urgency."
Ji also stressed the need to focus on Myanmar, coached by Colin Bell, who led the South Korean women's team from 2019 to 2024. "Coach Bell knows us so well, but we also know him pretty well," Ji noted. "We have to get off on the right foot, and Myanmar will present a tough challenge."