*This content was translated by AI.
The lineup of the first match of the doomed Asian Cup finals has been unveiled, with qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup finals in Brazil.
The South Korean women's national soccer team, led by head coach Shin Sang-woo, met Iran in the first Group A match of the 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Asian Cup at Gold Coast Stadium in Australia at 6 p.m. on the 2nd (Korea time).
Choi Yoo-jung (Hwacheon KSPO) and Kang Chae-rim (Montreal Rose FC) will take charge of Korea's offense. Choi Yu-ri (Suwon FC Women), Minyoung Jung (Otawa Lapid FC), and Moon Eun-joo (Hwacheon KSPO) are expected to be in the midfield, centering on Ji So-yeon (Suwon FC Women). The four-back is built by Jang Seul-ki (Gyeongju KHNP), Ko Yu-jin (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Kim Hye-ri (Suwon FC Women), and Noh Jin-young (Mungyeong Sangmu), while the goal is protected by Kim Min-jung (Incheon Hyundai Steel).
South Korea is 21st in the FIFA rankings, ahead of Iran, which is 68th. Even the opponent Iran is currently in a very chaotic situation in the midst of a national shock.
According to multiple media outlets, including Australian media "ABC News," shortly after the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei was reported, the Iranian national team remained silent at an official press conference. Iran's head coach, Marjee Jafari, declined to answer questions about the airstrikes.
Coach Shin Sang-woo has undergone a generational change since taking the helm of the women's national team. Coach Shin Sang-woo, who took office in October 2024, focused on improving the team's constitution by gaining hands-on experience against European and North American powerhouses.
Under coach Shin Sang-woo, the women's national team won the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship (East Asian Cup) held in Korea last year for the first time in 20 years.
This Asian Cup is a competition with a ticket to the World Cup. A total of 12 teams will be divided into three groups, and the top two teams among the first, second, and third-place teams in each group will advance to the quarterfinals. Here, a total of six teams, including the semifinals and the playoff winning team, will qualify for the women's World Cup finals in Brazil.
South Korea, which belongs to Group A in the group league, will play the Philippines on the 5th and Australia on the 8th, starting with the match against Iran today to compete in the quarterfinals.
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*This content was translated by AI.
