Women's soccer team avoided the group's first-place quarterfinals → 'death match' as if to show off the 'business class and Prada controversy'

*This content was translated by AI.

The South Korean women's national soccer team has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Asian Cup as 'No. 1 in the group'. Even before the tournament, the atmosphere was chaotic due to the controversy over the demand for business seats and the so-called Prada controversy of veteran Cho So-hyun, but he showed his potential by drawing with Australia, the host country and women's soccer strong team.

South Korea, led by head coach Shin Sang-woo, tied Australia 3-3 after a slugfest in the third Group A match at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia on the 8th (Korea time). Australia was not only the host country of the tournament, but South Korea was 21st in the FIFA rankings and Australia was 15th, which was lower for South Korea, and in the past, the gap was wide with 3 wins, 2 draws and 15 losses before the game.

However, in the 13th minute of the first half, South Korea took the lead first with Moon Eun-joo's first goal. Since then, he has lost two goals and finished the first half 1-2 behind, but he succeeded in turning the tables again as Kim Shin-ji and Kang Chae-rim scored consecutive goals in the 8th and 11th minutes of the second half. Although the equalizer through eight minutes of extra time in the second half was lost and drew 3-3 in Australia, it was meaningful just because it drew more than 60,000 fans in an away match in Australia.

South Korea, which previously defeated Iran and the Philippines 3-0 in succession, accumulated seven points (2 wins, 1 draw, +6 differences) due to the draw against Australia. They tied with Australia in points, but advanced to the quarterfinals as No. 1 in the group, one goal ahead of the goal difference. The match was the "No. 1 group match" between South Korea and Australia, which confirmed their advance to the quarterfinals early with two consecutive wins, and South Korea advanced to the quarterfinals as No. 1 in the group, beating Australia. After the whistle at the end of the game, the players shared the joy of reaching the quarterfinals as the top of the group rather than the disappointment caused by the loss through.

Even before the competition, he was under a lot of pressure due to various controversies, but fortunately, he passed the "first gateway" well. Earlier, the women's national team players demanded the Korea Football Association to improve treatment, such as providing business seats such as the men's national team, and if the demand is not accepted, they would boycott the Asian Cup, which was reported by foreign media. Since then, the Korea Football Association has decided to provide business seats for women's national team players at various international competitions, starting with this tournament. However, the criticism was not small considering the performance and marketability of the women's national team.

Meanwhile, Cho So-hyun, a former member of the national team, posted a picture of the Chinese national team receiving a uniform from luxury brand Prada on social media and wrote, "Doesn't Korea have such a thing?" Public opinion toward the women's national team, which had already been negative about the controversy over the business seat, rose even more, and the aftermath was entirely focused on Shin Sang-ho, who participated in the tournament. If the performance was not good from the group stage, it had no choice but to face stronger criticism.

However, following a 3-0 defeat of Iran and the Philippines, which are considered one level below in the group stage, Shin Sang-woo also showed his strength to draw 3-3 with "rampant" Australia in the final match for first place in the group. It is the third time in 11 years and the third time in history that South Korea has reached the tournament as the No. 1 player in the group at the Women's Asian Cup since the 2014 tournament, which was a four-team tournament system.

In addition, South Korea avoided the so-called "death tournament match" as it advanced to the quarterfinals as No. 1 in the group. In this tournament, four teams will be divided into three groups, and the top two teams with good performance among the first and second places in each group and the third place in the three groups will advance to the quarterfinals tournament. In the match table, the first place in Group A will face the third place in Group B/C in the quarterfinals, and the third place winner in Group C-A/B in the semifinals.

If they had reached the quarterfinals as the second-ranked team in the group behind Australia, they would have to meet the second-ranked team in Group B in the quarterfinals and then face the winner of Group B and Group C in the semifinals. In Group B, North Korea, ranked ninth in the FIFA rankings, and China, ranked 17th, have been confirmed to advance to the quarterfinals, leaving only the first and second place in the group. Thanks to being at the top of the group, South Korea avoided the "worst-case scenario" that could have met with China or North Korea in the quarterfinals and North Korea or China in the semifinals.

Of course, the possibility of meeting "Asia's No. 1" Japan in the semifinals has increased, but first of all, it is a clear good news that they will meet the third-place team in Group B or Group C in the quarterfinals. Uzbekistan ranked third in Group B and Vietnam ranked third in Group C, all of which are considered one level below South Korea. If this tournament reaches the semifinals of the tournament, it will be eligible to advance to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup finals in Brazil next year. It is also Shin Sang-woo's first goal in this tournament. The quarterfinals of the tournament between South Korea and the third-place team in Group B/C will be held at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, at 6 p.m. on the 14th.

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*This content was translated by AI.