Korea to face Philippines in early April friendlies

The Korean women’s national team will play two friendlies against the Philippines on April 5 and 8 at Icheon Sports Complex in Icheon, Gyeonggi, the Korea Football Association announced Monday.

Korea's Jang Sel-gi, second from right, in action during a Hangzhou Asian Games group stage match against the Philippines at Wenzhou Sports Centre in China on Sept. 25, 2023. [KOREA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION]

The Korean women’s national team will play two friendlies against the Philippines on April 5 and 8 at Icheon Sports Complex in Icheon, Gyeonggi, the Korea Football Association announced Monday.

As the two friendlies will happen during the FIFA international break, Korean players based overseas like veteran midfielder Ji So-yun of Seattle Reign and prospect Casey Phair of Angel City will be in action.

In four head-to-head clashes between the two, Korea won all four times. The two sides’ most recent clash at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year ended with a 5-1 victory for Korea thanks to a hat-trick from forward Son Hwa-yeon.

Korea are at No. 20 on the FIFA ranking, while the Philippines sit at No. 39. The Southeast Asian side still displayed a solid performance on the international stage, reaching the semifinals of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

The upcoming friendlies will be Korea’s first game since a two-game series in Europe last month during which Korea beat the Czech Republic 2-1 and lost 5-1 to Portugal.

Head coach Colin Bell called up 23 players on Monday to start training on April 1.

No. 1 goalkeeper pick Kim Jung-mi of the Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels is in the squad alongside Ryu Ji-soo of Seoul City Amazones and Choi Ye-seul of Gyeongju KHNP.

In defense, Kim Hye-ri and Choo Hyo-joo of the Red Angels, Shim Seo-yeon of Suwon FC, Jang Sel-gi of Gyeongju KHNP, Lee Young-ju of Madrid CFF, Lee Eun-young of Changnyeong WFC, Kim Se-yeon of Daeduk University join the team with Nam Seung-eun of Osan Information High School, who received the call for the first time after playing at the U-20 Asian Cup earlier this month.

Five midfielders joining Ji are Jeon Eun-ha of Suwon FC, Won Chae-eun of Korea University Sejong Campus, Lee Mi-na of the Red Angels, Chun Ga-ram of Hwacheon KSPO and Cho So-hyun of Birmingham City.

Forwards Kang Chae-rim and Moon Mi-ra of Suwon FC, Go Yu-na of Hwacheon KSPO, Son of the Red Angels and Choe Yu-ri of Birmingham City join Casey to complete the lineup.

The exact kick off time for the two friendlies is yet to be announced.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]