Korea Republic thrashed Uzbekistan in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 quarterfinal

Korea Republic will face Japan or the Philippines in the semi-finals

A dominant Korea Republic cruised into the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 semi-finals with a 6-0 win against Uzbekistan in their last eight tie at Stadium Australia on Saturday.

Victory secured the Korea Republic a showdown against either Japan or the Philippines on Wednesday in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and also booked their seat for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.

Uzbekistan, meanwhile, will attempt to qualify for the global showpiece via the playoffs, with the Central Asian side to meet the losers of the Japan-Philippines quarter-final in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. 

Korea Republic head coach Shin Sang-woo restored midfielder Kim Shin-ji to the starting line-up but had to make a last-minute switch with Son Hwa-yeon taking the place of forward Jeon Yu-gyeong, while Kotryna Kulbyte sprang a surprise with her Uzbekistan selection, opting to keep attackers Nilufar Kudratova, Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva and Lyudmila Karachik on the bench.

South Korea broke the deadlock

It didn’t take long for Hwa-yeon to make an impact, running onto Choe Yu-ri’s pass in the ninth minute with her low shot deflecting off Dilrabo Asadova and looping over Maftuna Jonimqulova to settle in the back of the net. Jonimqulova was forced into action again in the 19th minute, getting down to her right to parry Hwa-yeon’s glancing header from Yu-ri’s cross but the Uzbekistan custodian was helpless a minute later when Ko Yoo-jin lashed home from distance into the top corner.

Korea Republic continued to rain attempts on the Uzbekistan goalmouth with Hwa-yeon crashing a header against the crossbar before Jang Sel-gi’s powerful strike was tipped onto the woodwork by the overworked Jonimqulova.

Four goals in the second half for South Korea

The second half got off to a cagey beginning, but Korea Republic soon got into their stride as they added to their advantage in the 57th minute when Jonimqulova punched Jung Min-young’s corner delivery into the path of Park Soo-jeong, who smashed home the rebound.

It became 4-0 in the 72nd minute after Zarina Mamatkarimova was dispossessed just outside the box with crisp passing opening up space for Ji So-yun to sidefoot the ball into the bottom corner.

Korea Republic added another 13 minutes later when So-yun produced a wonderful through pass for Kang Chae-rim, whose effort was blocked by Jonimqulova but Lee Eun-young was on hand to tap-in the loose ball.

The East Asian side capped a fine performance in stoppage time after Eun-young was tripped in the box by Ruskhshona Usarova, with Sel-gi stepping up to slot home the resulting penalty.

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