Taeguk Nangja Round-up 1st April

Welcome to Taeguk Nangja Round-up, a new segment from K League United, focusing on Korean Women footballers who are plying their trade abroad. The closing week of last month saw Cho So-hyun and Ji So-yun in action for their respective clubs, whereas a new face got everyone buzzing in the US. All that and more in Shibajee Das' Korean Women's Football Round-up. 
Image via Tottenham Hotspur Women

Ji on the verge of scripting history

Ji So-yun capped off a stunning weekend for Chelsea, with her club aiming to create history both in domestic and continental football.

It all started on Sunday when Chelsea defeated Aston Villa 2-0, courtesy of a brace from Australian striker Sam Kerr. Ji So-yun started and played the full 90 minutes, pulling the strings in midfield to help Chelsea stay two points clear off Manchester City at the top of the table, with four matches remaining.

Ruling the middle of the park! 💪@jsy0341 @ChelseaFCW #BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/jgJAviml8L

— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) March 28, 2021

Two days later, Chelsea was back in action travelling to Budapest for their UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Wolfsburg. The Blues had a 2-1 advantage and had the luxury to keep Ji on the bench. First-half strikes from Pernille Harder and Sam Kerr put them firmly in the driver's seat before Ji came off the bench to set up Fran Kirby for Chelsea's third goal of the day and seal an impressive 5-1 aggregate win.

Chelsea is now looking to make this a historic season, by winning a record fourth league title as well as claim their first piece of continental silverware. It could turn out to be a career-defining season for Ji So-yun.

 

Derby disappointment for Cho

Cho So-hyun came on as a second-half substitute in the 71st minute but was unable to help Tottenham Hotspur succumb to Arsenal in the FA Women's Super League North London Derby. 

Caitlin Foord opened the scoring for the Gunners at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, before Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema extended their advantage with a stunning volley. Katie McCabe put Arsenal out of sight as the away side ran out comfortable winners on the day.

The win kept Arsenal in fourth place with 35 points from 17 matches. Spurs, on the other hand, are now winless in seven league matches. Cho So-hyun's side is placed eighth in the league table with 17 points from 18 matches. 

Lee starts; Jeon watches

Lee Geum-min's Brighton & Hove Albion's four-game winning run came to a stuttering end in an away defeat to Everton. Lee started the match well when she hit a fierce long-range effort that was kept out by the Everton shot-stopper. The home team soon started to dominate proceedings, with Australian winger Hayley Raso eventually netting a hat-trick. The Merseysiders ran out 5-0 winners and are now placed fifth, a place above Brighton.

Elsewhere, Jeon Ga-eul was an unused substitute and saw her Reading side come very close to take a point back home from Manchester. Chloe Kelly scored an 87th-minute winner to keep Manchester City's title hopes alive. They are now two points off league leaders Chelsea, with four matches remaining while Reading are in mid-table just behind Brighton in 7th.

Bolt from the Sky Blue

Across the Atlantic, Korean midfielder Lee So-dam introduced herself to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) fans in grand fashion.

Lee made the switch from Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels to Sky Blue FC in the close season. The 26-year-old made her debut in her new team's final pre-season match versus Washington Spirit at the Audi Field.

 

No stimmies, just vibes. Here’s a 🦅 👁 view of THAT Sodam Lee goal. https://t.co/8yTtKisHR0 pic.twitter.com/afvQlcEVir

— Sky Blue FC (@SkyBlueFC) March 29, 2021

She came on as a second-half substitute and made an impression within 15 minutes. With the scores tied 1-1, she hit a gorgeous volley from outside the box that flew beyond the despairing dive of the keeper. That goal proved to be the winner with Lee So-dam the name on everyone's lips.   

The Sky Blues will now gear up for their first competitive outing on April 14 against the Orlando Pride in the NWSL Challenge Cup.