The South Korean women's national football team fell short of reaching its first-ever Asian Games final after being defeated by host nation Japan in the semifinals.

South Korea, led by head coach Shin Sang-woo, lost 0-2 to Japan in the tournament's semifinal match held at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa in Fukuroi, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, on the 29th.

As a result, South Korea has been relegated to the bronze medal match, which will take place at the same stadium at 3:00 PM on October 2.

Its opponent will be China.

South Korea has competed in women's football at the Asian Games since its introduction at the 1990 Beijing Games, winning three bronze medals (2010, 2014, and 2018).

After being eliminated in the quarterfinals at the 2022 Hangzhou Games held in 2023, the team returned to the semifinals this year for the first time in eight years with the determination to change the color of its medal. However, failing to get past the semifinals once again, South Korea will now challenge for its first bronze medal in eight years.

Since winning 2-1 at the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship in August 2015, South Korea has remained winless against Japan in 11 consecutive international matches, recording 4 draws and 7 losses.

Japan, which won back-to-back gold medals at the Jakarta-Palembang and Hangzhou Asian Games, advanced to the final once again with a squad composed entirely of domestic-based players. It will face North Korea for the gold medal at 7:30 PM on October 2.

North Korea defeated China 2-0 in the earlier semifinal match held that day.

Amid a heavy downpour that led to a wet-weather battle, South Korea deployed Choi Yu-ri at the front line, supported by Hyun Seul-gi, Ji So-yeon, and Yoon Soo-jung in the second line.

Jung Min-young and Kim Min-ji teamed up in midfield, while Jang Seul-gi, No Jin-young, Ko Yu-jin, and Kim Hye-ri formed the back four.

The goal was guarded by Kim Min-jung.

Armed with high pressing, Japan threatened early when Ueno Mami's header brushed the side netting during a corner kick in the 7th minute. In the 27th minute, Kim Min-jung punched away a left-footed mid-range shot from Takarada Saori, which was subsequently ruled offside.

South Korea squandered a golden opportunity in the 32nd minute when Choi Yu-ri capitalized on a defensive error on the left flank, but her right-footed shot sailed over the crossbar. Three minutes later, Jang Seul-gi's mid-range shot from the left side of the penalty arc was gathered by Japanese goalkeeper Oba Shu.

Right before the end of the first half, Japan's Kuwahara Ai broke down the left wing, leading to Kamiya Jiina's left-footed shot that hit the left post. South Korea survived another scare to end the scoreless first half at 0-0.

Entering the second half, South Korea substituted Hyun Seul-gi with forward Son Hwa-yeon to boost its attacking firepower.

Japan made a change by bringing on Mizuno Fukina in place of Takarada, who had been the tournament's joint top scorer with six goals, and pushed forward from the early stages of the second half in search of a goal.

About two minutes after Jung Min-young's surprise right-footed mid-range shot was blocked by the goalkeeper in the 7th minute of the second half, South Korea conceded the opening goal to Japan.

Kamiya broke the 0-0 deadlock by heading home a cross floated into the center by Ueno.

Needing to chase the game, South Korea fell into an even deeper hole in the 18th minute of the second half when a backpass error led to Kamiya scoring another goal with a mid-range shot.

Immediately following the second goal, South Korea took off Yoon Soo-jung and Kim Hye-ri, sending on Jung Da-bin and Han Da-in to seek a comeback. However, they failed to break through a well-organized Japanese side that tightened its defense and pressing, leaving South Korea to digest a defeat.

(Photo: Yonhap News)