GOLD COAST, MAR 5: South Korea cruised into the quarter-finals of the Women's Asian Cup with a dominant 3-0 win over an outmatched Philippines at Queensland's Gold Coast on Thursday.
The South Koreans, runners-up to China in 2022, scored two goals in the first half and one in the second to book their place in the final eight.
It was their second win in the tournament, following another 3-0 victory over Iran on Monday.
Iran will play hosts Australia in the second match in Thursday's double-header on the Gold Coast.
With the Matildas hot favourites to win that clash, South Korea's match against Australia in Sydney on Sunday will decide who finishes at the top of Pool A.
The Philippines posed a different challenge for the South Koreans than that of Iran, who were content to sit back and defend rather than offer any attacking threat.
The Philippines did try and take the game to South Korea, but never really looked like scoring.
By contrast, the South Koreans looked dangerous every time they attacked, and were rewarded in the 12th minute when Jeon Yugyeong got the ball in the box, turned sharply and fired low past goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel.
They made it 2-0 three minutes later, Park Soo Jeong finding space outside the box and sending a left foot rocket past McDaniel into the top right hand corner.
The Philippines did well in defence to snuff out the South Korean chances, but 16 minutes into the second half, Mun Eunju took advantage of a scramble in the box to volley home from close range and seal the match. �"AFP
