The South Korean women's national football team finished second in its group after a 1-1 draw against North Korea in the inter-Korean showdown at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

The national team, led by head coach Shin Sang-woo, tied 1-1 with North Korea in their third Group F match of the Asian Games group stage held today at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa in Fukuroi, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

South Korea, which secured a 5-0 victory against Myanmar in its first match on September 14 and a 6-0 win against Bangladesh in its second match on September 17, finished the group stage with 7 points, equal to North Korea, following the battle for first place in the group.

However, lagging behind North Korea (+18) with a goal difference of +11, South Korea placed second in the group behind North Korea in the final standings.

Women's football at this tournament features 12 countries divided into three groups for the group stage, with the top two teams from each group and the two best third-place teams advancing to the quarterfinals.

South Korea will face Group G runners-up Uzbekistan in Osaka on September 25 for a spot in the semifinals.

South Korea recorded its fifth draw (1 win and 16 losses) in all-time national team matches against football powerhouse North Korea.

South Korea's only victory remains a 1-0 win at the East Asian Football Federation tournament in August 2005.

In the first inter-Korean match for a team ball sport at this tournament, head coach Shin Sang-woo set up the starting lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Choi Yu-ri (Suwon FC Women) spearheaded the attack, while the second line consisted of Hyun Seul-gi (Gyeongju KHNP), Ji So-yun (Suwon FC), and Kang Chae-rim (Gangjin Swans).

Kim Min-ji (Seoul City Hall) and Jung Min-young (Ottawa Rapid) were deployed in midfield, and the back four defense was formed by Jang Seil-gi (KHNP) [Note: Jang Seul-gi], Noh Jin-young (Mungyeong Sangmu), Lee Min-hwa (Hwacheon KSPO), and Kim Hye-ri (Suwon FC).

The goal was guarded by Kim Min-jung (Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels) [Note: Kim Min-jung].

North Korea started key players including forward Kim Kyung-young, who led Naegohyang Women's Football Club to victory and won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League (AWCL) held in Suwon in May.

Against North Korea, which showed sharp performances through long-pass-oriented build-ups, flank penetration followed by crosses, and set pieces, South Korea blocked passing lanes with pressing and matched the opponent with concise and rapid passes in attack, maintaining a tight flow until mid-match.

In the 27th minute of the first half, Kang Chae-rim broke through the right flank and fired a sharp right-footed shot that sailed slightly over the crossbar. A minute later, amid some disarray in South Korea's defense, North Korea's Chae Eun-young passed to Han Jin-hong on the right side of the penalty area, whose shot missed slightly to the left of the goal.

Shin Sang-woo's squad failed to fend off a set-piece situation and conceded the opening goal in the 36th minute of the first half.

Following a corner kick taken by Jeon Ryeong-jeong, Chae Eun-young hit the back of the net with a right-footed shot amid a scramble in front of the goal.

Starting the second half by substituting Hyun Seul-gi with Yoon Soo-jung (Suwon FC), South Korea reaped the benefits of the substitution card in less than a minute.

Receiving a through ball from Choi Yu-ri, Yoon Soo-jung drove straight into the center of the penalty area and scored the equalizer with a right-footed shot in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper.

After conceding, North Korea substituted out Kim Kyung-young and Myung Yu-jung to bring in Choi Geum-ok and Jung Geum. South Korea also sought a go-ahead goal in the 15th minute of the second half by replacing Choi Yu-ri with Son Hwa-yeon (Gangjin).

Sending out the speedy Choo Hyo-ju (Ottawa) in place of Kang Chae-rim in the 36th minute of the second half, South Korea warded off a crisis when Kim Min-jung punched away Han Jin-hong's diving header in the 41st minute of the second half, having to settle for sharing 1 point with North Korea as the match ended.

(Photo: Yonhap News)