Women's Football Head Coach Shin Sang-woo: "We Don't Focus on Politics in Inter-Korean Match"

▲ South Korea's women's national football team, including Head Coach Shin Sang-woo, salute the national flag prior to the Group F match against North Korea at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa in Fukuroi, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, on September 21.

Following a draw in the inter-Korean match at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, South Korea women's national football team Head Coach Shin Sang-woo expressed more disappointment over finishing the group stage in second place, stating that facing North Korea did not carry any special motivation.

Speaking after the third Group F match of the Asian Games at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa in Fukuroi, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, today, Coach Shin assessed, "It was a game we definitely needed to win, so the draw is quite disappointing. We were in a position where we could have easily secured first place in the group."

The national team led by Coach Shin tied with North Korea 1-1.

With 2 wins and 1 draw across three group-stage matches, South Korea accumulated 7 points, the same as North Korea, but finished second in the group due to goal difference (South Korea +11, North Korea +18).

After conceding a goal from a set-piece in the first half, South Korea brought on substitute Yoon Su-jung (Suwon FC) at the start of the second half, who scored the equalizer just one minute later to add a valuable point against tough opponent North Korea.

While pointing out that "frequent passing mistakes and errors were disappointing, and the conceded goal could have been avoided with simpler ball clearance," Coach Shin also noted, "In the past, our players used to collapse after conceding to North Korea, but this time they caught up and did their best to turn the game around, which I think they did well."

The national team will face Uzbekistan, the runner-up of Group G, in the quarterfinals on September 25.

Had they finished the group stage in first place, they could have stayed in Shizuoka and faced a relatively weaker opponent, making the disappointment even greater for Coach Shin.

"It took us five hours to travel from Osaka to Shizuoka during the group stage. That is why we wanted to win today, and the players were desperate," Coach Shin said, emphasizing, "Now we have to travel back to Osaka, making recovery crucial."

Regarding their next opponent, Uzbekistan, he said, "We have faced them three times since I took office, and judging by their performance in this Asian Games, their game management seems good. We will analyze them more closely."

Repeating his regret by saying, "Finishing first in the group was important because our goal is to change the color of the medal...," Coach Shin resolved, "We didn't finish second because we collapsed; we worked hard, but luck seemed to favor North Korea more. We will rest well and prepare thoroughly for the quarterfinals to achieve our ultimate goal."

Although the match drew attention as an inter-Korean showdown, Coach Shin did not attach any special significance to it.

He stated, "There was no special motivation. I just thought of them as a team we had to face. Because North Korea is a strong team in women's football, our players maintained high concentration to beat them," adding, "It is football, so we just produce results and go through the process with football itself; we do not dwell on politics."

Coach Shin further added, "Many players were facing North Korea for the first time. Although they were nervous, I want to praise them for playing fiercely and strongly. The new and old players achieved a good harmony, and I view our response after conceding a goal in a positive light."

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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