Seoul: Shin Sang-woo, head coach of the South Korean women's national football team, expressed his determination to lead his team to victory at the upcoming East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Women's Football Championship, set to take place on home soil.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the tournament will commence on Wednesday, with South Korea's women's team kicking off their campaign against China at the Suwon World Cup Stadium. The team will subsequently face Japan at Hwaseong Stadium on Sunday, followed by their final match against Chinese Taipei on July 16 in Suwon. Japan enters the tournament as the highest-ranked team, positioned at No. 7 globally, while China, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei are ranked 17th, 21st, and 42nd, respectively.
Shin emphasized the significance of securing a win in their opening match against China, highlighting the importance of focusing on one game at a time. Historical records show South Korea has faced challenges against both China and Japan, with their last victories against these teams occurring in August 2015. Despite this, Shin is optimistic about leveraging home advantage and the potential impact of the current weather conditions.
The EAFF E-1 Women's Football Championship, now in its ninth edition, saw South Korea clinch their sole title in 2005. The 2022 tournament concluded with Japan as champions, followed by China, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei in respective positions. Shin took over the coaching role in October last year, aiming to revitalize the team following disappointing performances in recent major tournaments.
Shin views the championship as a valuable opportunity to prepare for the upcoming Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Asian Cup. Team captain Lee Geum-min, a seasoned player with 96 international caps, aims to guide the younger players, who make up a significant portion of the squad, by setting a positive example. Lee highlighted the talent and energy of the new players, stressing the importance of representing their country well and inspiring future generations.