South Korea vs Bangladesh Highlights: KOR 6-1 BAN, Koreans secure spot in U-20 AFC Women’s Asian Cup

A dominant second-half performance by South Korea helped the East-Asian side secure a spot in the U-20 AFC Asian Cup. Meanwhile, second-placed Bangladesh will have to wait for all matches in this round

Bangladesh looks mentally beaten and Jin Hyerin makes the most of it, cutting in from the left and then shooting past Swarna, who looks visibly frustrated.

Choi Jihung sets up Lee Haeun on her left as the No. 10 heads it in to complete her hat-trick and seal a five-star performance for South Korea.

South Korea replaces goalkeeper Wi Hyebeen with No. 1, Jeong Dahee, as it looks to complete a convincing victory.

Lee Haeun steps up to take the spot-kick and leaves goalkeeper Swarna unmoved as she finds the left-bottom corner with a firm strike, helping South Korea widen the lead.

Nabiran Khatun brings down Lee Haeyun in the box and the referee points to the spot.

Korea shuffles its pack in front, with Cho Hyeyong replaced by Park Gayun.

Shikha gets the ball along the right, who sets up Sapna in the centre, The No. 7 takes a shot from long range but it fails to trouble goalkeeper Wi Hyebeen.

Swarna passes the ball to Afeida to get the ball ahead along the right flank and Bangladesh gets a throw-in. Shikha gets the ball back into play but Korea eventually clears it out of danger.

The match resumes, with Korea continuing its similar style of attacking football. Lee Haeun gets the ball in the midfield but is fouled. The resulting free kick as Cho Hyeyoung get the ball in the box and shoot it into the net but the referee had aleready given off-side.

The match pauses for a cooling break as Bangladesh looks to get back into the match and score two late goals — one that would see it secure an Asian Cup spot.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, started this match needing a draw to qualify but took the lead in the 15th minute — one that calmed a few nerves, maybe quite too much, as Korea has been the more aggressive and hungry side since.

South Korea started the campaign with a 9-0 thrashing of Timor Leste and then got the better of host Laos with a 1-0 margin of victory. It needed to win this match to qualify and looks on course to do so.

Bangladesh is left chasing shadows in the midfield as Cho Hyeyoung and Lee Haeyun combine in the final third.

South Korea’s confidence on the field is quite evident because of the two-goal lead and it continues to press high up the pitch, forcing Bangladesh in its own half.

Bangladesh makes two substitutions: Nadia and Munki Akhter are replaced by Surma Jannat and Rani Bahadur, respectively.

Han Minseo floats in a gorgeous long ball for captain Cho Hyeyoung, who redeems herself with a flick past Swarna this time. The goal widens the lead for Koreans as Bangladesh’s chances to qualify as Group topper keeps falling further.

Korea comes close to scoring when Cho Hyeyoung gets the ball in the final third and carries it into the box. However, she loses the ball in a one-on-one with goalkeeper Swarna.

The match looks to have ignited with pace, with both sides going for quick counterattacks. This time, Korea gets caught in the off-side trap.

Bangladesh tries to stich an attack together — Shikha combining with Trishna — but the latter is caught off-side and the chance ends in nothing.

Lee Haeun, who scored the equaliser finds miles of space because of Bangladesh’s attempted high line, barges into the box but fails to keep her shot on target. The ball flies over the net.

Shikha tries to create a set-piece opportunity for Bangladesh, with a run along the right flank. But her cross is blocked by Korea’s defence as the side plots an attack on the counter.

Korea finds a way past Swarna in its next attempt as Lee Haeun sets up Cho Hyeyong on her right, who makes no mistake to beat Swarna this time and give Korea the lead.

Swarna Rani’s coming out of the goal is spotted well by Korea, which attacks in numbers. While Bangladesh’s defence makes an initial clearance, Cho Hyeyoung tries a shot from the right, which is saved by a tracking back Swarna.

The match resumes as South Korea looks to topple the lead. A draw here would be enough for Bangladesh but Korea will need to win this match to qualify.

A strike by Trishna in the 15th minute, followed by an equaliser by Jeong Jiwon six minutes later keep the contest in the balance at the break in Laos.

MST Sagorika gets a chance to latch onto a loose ball in the Korean half and as she rushed into the final third with the ball, the referee halts play for an off-side.

South Korea goes for an attack this time, with three forwards combining in front of the opponent’s 12-yard box. However, lack of communication sees Bangladesh track back in time.

Bangladesh tries to go for long ball football but Shikha fails to reach the ball in time as Wi Hyebeen catches the ball to end that attack.

Shikha Sinha wins the ball along the right flank, makes a run into the final third and tries a left-footed shot in between two Korean defenders. The shot is on target but lack of force sees Wi Hyebeen catch the ball comfortably.

Korean defender Park Hyo-Jin and Bangladeshi forward Trishna get involved in a string collision and both go to the ground, holding their heads. After medical attention from their respective teams, the match resumes .

Park Hyo-Jin is booked for the challenge.

Korea’s medical team rushes to help Hyo-Jin out and then Korea tries to attack with a long throw, which is cleared by Bangladesh. The match is getting more and more physical as both sides, level on points looks to secure qualification for the Asian Cup.

Kim Hyo-Jin tries to make a run along the left flank but Nabiran Khatun stops her in her tracks to get the ball out for a throw-in.

South Korea is maintaining a low block of two plus three players as Trishna tries to find a space for Bangladesh.

Soon, Bangladesh dispossesses the Koreans and marches into the final third. The cross the right is blocked for a corner, which is then cleared by Korea.

Play resumes after the first cooling break with Bangladesh playing more aggressively. Meanwhile, South Korea wins possession back. 

Bangladesh opened the sscoring when Sree Moti Trishna Rani steered a low cross from the left into the net, putting one foot in the Asian Cup. However, South Korea wrested control with an equaliser in he 20th minute.

Welcome to Sportstar’s coverage of the U-20 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers between South Korea and Bangladesh, being played in Laos.