Sponsor Logo

    Korea Republic vs. Cymru | Friendly match – Football – Female – A

    Live

        Live ReportMatch Summary

        3. Mared Griffiths – EE Seren y Gêm

        4. MATCH SUMMARY:

          Cymru paid the price for not taking a number of early chances as Korea Republic denied Rhian Wilkinson’s side a first win of 2025.

          Head coach Rhian Wilkinson spoke before the match about how the burden of not winning throughout 2025 was something her team did not want to carry any longer, and named a strong starting line-up with seven changes from the side that lost 5-2 to Poland last month.

          Angharad James returned as captain in the middle of midfield against a Korea Republic side playing their first fixture since July, and they almost took an early lead as a misplaced pass from Olivia Clark offered an opportunity on goal, but the resulting effort cleared the bar.

          Cymru soon took control, and it was Sophie Ingle who opened the scoring after six minutes. After initially forcing goalkeeper Kim Min-Jeong to make a decent save, Ingle then converted from the resulting corner. Hannah Cain then had a great chance to double the advantage but directed her effort wide.

          Wilkinson’s side continued to enjoy the majority of the possession and Ingle again came close to grabbing her second as she stretched for a deep cross but just couldn’t make the crucial contact needed at the back post. With the physical advantage over the opponents, Cymru had plenty of the ball and looked dangerous on set-pieces.

          Ji So-yun was the source of Korea Republic’s creativity and had a chance of her own midway through the opening half but could not make her opportunity count. At the other end, Mared Griffiths and Carrie Jones also had chances for Cymru before half-time, but it remained 1-0.

          Elise Hughes was introduced for the 2nd half and almost made an immediate impression as she hit the post on 48 minutes. However, Korea Republic made three changes of their own and brought a more physical approach to their game after the restart.

          On 51 minutes Choi Yoo-Jung forced a good save from Clark, and shortly after Cymru squandered a big opportunity as Jones dragged her effort wide of the far post after receiving a fine ball from James. It would prove costly as Korea Republic levelled after 68 minutes.

          Substitute Kim Min-Ji found herself unmarked in the area and headed past Clark to level the score. The goal visibly lifted their opponents, and they began to ask questions of their own as Cymru struggled to regain control of a game that really should have been made safe much earlier on.

        5. FULL-TIME VERDICT: It proved to be another frustrating night for Cymru as substitute Kim Min-Ji found herself unmarked in the area to head the equaliser past Clark in the 2nd half. Rhian Wilkinson’s side had created a host of opportunities on goal prior to the leveller, and the inquest that will inevitably follow will ask how so many chances after Ingle’s early opener were not taken and why their opponents were allowed that much space and time for the equalising goal. Cymru now have just one more opportunity to claim a win in 2025 with Switzerland next up on Tuesday.

        6. 83'

          Substitution

          ROSS Mia replaces JAMES Angharad

        7. 77'

          Yellow card

          Kim Shin-Ji

        8. 75'

          Cymru having plenty of the ball in the final third but that last pass is letting them down. Korea Republic remain dangerous on the counter-attack though and will believe they can win this now.

        9. 71'

          Korea Republic visibly lifted by that goal and are beginning to take control now. This is a crucial period for Cymru and they need to regain their composure, quickly.

        10. 70'

          Substitution

          Lee Su-Bin replaces Choi Yoo-Jung

        11. Rhian Wilkinson watches on from the touchline.

        12. 68'

          Goal

          Kim Min-Ji

        13. 68'

          Goal

          Jang Sel-Gi

        14. 68'

          Concern in the Cymru defence as Korea Republic start to ask a few leading questions and it’s substitute Kim Min-Ji who makes them pay with the equaliser. A free header in the area exposing Cymru at the back.

        15. 68'

          Goal

          Jang Sel-Gi

        16. 68'

          Goal

          Jang Sel-Gi

        17. 64'

          Substitution

          Choe Yu-Ri replaces Kang Chae-Rim

        18. Diolch to the fans who have made the journey to Málaga

        19. 61'

          Rowe enters the field for her 80th senior international appearance in Cymru colours.

        20. 60'

          Another big chance for Cymru but Jones pulls her shot across goal and wide of the far post after a great pass from James.

        21. 60'

          Substitution

          ROWE Rachel replaces JONES Carrie

        22. 60'

          Substitution

          HOLLAND Ceri replaces MORGAN Ffion Alys

        23. 55'

          The game has become a bit more physical since the restart with Korea Republic not letting Cymru have as much time on the ball.

        24. 54'

          Yellow card

          HUGHES Elise

        25. 53'

          Yellow card

          Shin Na-Yeong

        26. 51'

          A big chance for Korea Republic but Choi Yoo-Jung is denied by a fine save from Clark.

        27. Cymru captain Angharad James in possession

        28. 48'

          Hughes hits the post after just coming off the bench. A great chance again.

        29. 47'

          Cymru carrying on where they left off. A great run and cross from Morgan but Jones just can’t finish. Expect a few more chances to follow.

        30. 46'

          Substitution

          Lee Eun-Young replaces Son Hwa-Yeon

        31. 46'

          Substitution

          Kim Min-Ji replaces Song Jae-Eun

        32. 46'

          Substitution

          Casey Phair replaces Ji So-Yun

        33. 46'

          We’re back with a few changes from both teams. Hughes on for Cain for Cymru.

        34. 45' + 16'

          Substitution

          HUGHES Elise replaces CAIN Hannah

        35. HALF-TIME VERDICT: A strong performance from Cymru delivers a deserved 1-0 lead at half-time. An early goal for Ingle in the opening minutes, her seventh for her country, set the tone for this one as further chances for Cain, Jones and Griffiths followed. Cymru have enjoyed long periods of possession and have created chances, but Korea Republic have offered the occasional warning with Ji So-yun coming close to equalising midway through the half. Cymru probably should be further ahead, and that will encourage their opponents that this one is far from over yet.

        36. 39'

          Decent effort from Jones but Min-Jung again makes the save.

        37. 34'

          So close! Griffiths tries her luck from the edge of the area but her shot goes narrowly wide. Griffiths has worked hard this evening and has put herself in some decent positions to cause problems for the Korea Republic defence.

        38. 26'

          Korea Republic having a spell of possession without creating any clear chances to trouble Clark. Cymru need to take back control of this one.

        39. 23'

          Rhian Wilkinson will be pleased with what she has seen from her side as we reach the midway point of the opening half.

        40. Carrie Jones plays the ball

        41. 20'

          A warning for Cymru as Ji So-yun finds herself in plenty of space but cannot convert her effort on goal.

        42. 16'

          Cymru enjoying plenty of possession in the Korea Republic half. It’s 1-0 but it could and probably should be more with the chances Cymru have created already this evening.

        43. The Cymru starting line-up

        44. 13'

          So close again as Ingle stretches at the back-post but just can’t connect. She could have had a hat-trick already this evening.

        45. 12'

          Another great chance for Cymru as Jones finds Cain with plenty of space in the Korea Republic area but she fails to hit the target.

        46. 10'

          Ingle almost doubles the advantage but Min-Jung denies her a second goal. Cymru have started well here in Málaga against their higher-ranked opponents.

        47. 6'

          GOAL! Ingle’s effort on goal is saved by Min-Jung but from the resulting corner it’s Ingle who makes no mistake from close range to put her side ahead. A great start to the match!

        48. 6'

          Goal

          INGLE Sophie

        49. 4'

          A dangerous moment for Cymru as a misplaced pass from Clark is intercepted but the resulting effort sails over the bar.

        50. 1'

          The anthems are complete and it’s Cymru who get things started here in Málaga.

        51. Final preparations ahead of kick-off in Málaga

        52. Mared Griffiths scored her first senior Cymru goal last month against Australia and comes into the starting line-up

        54. Angharad James will captain Cymru against Korea Republic this evening

        57. The Cymru squad have arrived at the Ciudad Deportiva Fundación in Málaga with kick-off against Korea Republic fast approaching.

        59. The pennant for the penultimate match of 2025.

        60. TEAM NEWS

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson has named a strong starting line-up for the match against Korea Republic in Málaga.

          Wilkinson has made seven changes to the side that lost 5-2 to Poland in Newport last month with only Olivia Clark, Hayley Ladd, Carrie Jones and Ffion Morgan retaining their place in the first XI.

          Angharad James captains the side on her 138th senior international appearance for her country.

        64. JAMES – ‘WE WANT TO WIN’

          Cymru captain Angharad James also spoke to the media earlier today and emphasised how the players want to end the year with positive results as they prepare to take on Korea Republic and Switzerland in Spain.

          “Of course, for us as a group we want to win every game that we play,” said James. “Whenever we put the jersey on, we will always go out there and do the best that we possibly can to perform and win the game.

          “This year has been a journey, and it’s been a different experience to what we’ve experienced before. We’ve played top opposition in every game, but despite that, we haven’t been happy in some of our performances.

          “Then there’s others that we have been happy with despite the result. It’s all part of football. I thought Australia was a great game for us, wasn’t our best, but it was good.

          “There’s a bigger picture in all of this and that is to prepare us for next year.”

        66. WILKINSON PUSHING CYMRU STANDARDS

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson spoke to the media from the team base in Spain earlier today as she prepares her squad to take on Korea Republic on Friday.

          “From what we’ve seen from them in our footage they are a good team with plenty of depth and can play good technical football,” said Wilkinson.

          “The players are good at being structured and remaining in their shape, so we’re looking forward to a challenging game and one that will be very different from the one we played against Australia.”

          Wilkinson also reflected on what has been a difficult year in terms of results with her side yet to claim a victory during 2025.

          “We can pretend that we don’t know the run that we’re on,” she added. “We’re aware, and from our end, if we just focused on results, I would not have made the schedule as hard as I have done.

          “It has to be about our performances and how we push ourselves as a team knowing that we have to hit the ground run come February next year. I don’t think there’s any panic or upset in the team, but these are high-performing professionals who want to win.

          “They all know that we haven’t won in a while, but I find chasing wins distracting from the bigger goal of, come next year, this team is as primed and as ready as possible to try and reach a World Cup.”

        69. SQUAD UPDATE

          Goalkeeper Poppy Lyons-Walker (below) has been added to the Cymru senior squad for the fixtures against Korea Republic and Switzerland in Spain.

          The 16-year-old replaces Poppy Soper who has withdrawn from the camp through injury.

        71. ROWE SET FOR 80th CYMRU CAP

          Rachel Rowe has returned to the Cymru squad from injury and could make her 80th senior appearance for her country during this international window.

          The 33-year-old made her debut over a decade ago against Costa Rica in March 2015 at the Istria Cup under former head coach Jayne Ludlow and has been an important figure in the squad ever since.

          Rowe is currently playing for Southampton in the WSL 2 and has scored eight goals for Cymru in her career, including a double in the 6-0 win away to Kosovo in April 2024.

        72. OPPONENTS IN PROFILE – KOREA REPUBLIC

          This will be the first meeting between Cymru and Korea Republic in a senior women’s international.

          Head coach Shin Sang-woo took charge of the national team last year and his seen his side slip one place to 21st in the latest FIFA World Rankings.

          However, the side are undefeated in their last four games, with draws against Colombia, China and Japan followed by a 2-0 win over Chinese Taipei during June and July.

          Korea Republic have not been in action since, and their upcoming fixtures against Cymru on 28 November and the Netherlands on 2 December will form an important part of their preparation for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup that takes place next March.

          “I want to gain experience against European teams,” explained Sang-woo to the official KFA website. “Wales is ranked lower than us, but they performed well against a strong team like Australia.

          “If the players can experience playing against strong teams first-hand, their preparation for the Asian Cup will be much easier. With the Asian Cup just three months away, we need to have a rough outline of the team.

          “However, we’re still at about 80% of our potential. This time around, we have both new and established players, and I’m looking forward to seeing them perform well in the competition.”

          Ji So-yun will be the player for Cymru to watch. The all-time record appearance holder and goalscorer for her country, the 34-year-old attacking midfielder spent a number of years playing alongside Sophie Ingle at Chelsea and is currently on-loan at Birmingham City from Seattle Reign.

        74. PREPARATIONS CONTINUE

          The Cymru squad are enjoying the winter sun in Marbella as Rhian Wilkinson’s side prepare to take on Korea Republic and Switzerland.

          The two friendly internationals that will take place in Málaga and Jerez respectively will be Cymru’s final preparation games ahead of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign that begins in February.

          “We know we’re bringing through a really young generation,” Wilkinson explained. “They need to be delivering to this standard every single time, no matter who they play.

          “I do think the next two opposition will be really great challenges for that and will be a nice way to end the year with two strong performances.”

        77. CYMRU DUO ON POTENTIAL CAP MILESTONES

          Ceri Holland and Ffion Morgan could earn their 50th international caps for Cymru during this international window as both players head into the friendly double-header against Korea Republic and Switzerland on 48 appearances.

          “It’s not something I’ve thought much about to be honest,” said Holland (below) from the team base in Spain earlier today. “I take it one game at a time, but it’s on my radar the fact that I’m getting closer to that milestone.

          “My international career has progressed quite quickly, but I’ve really enjoyed it. I think it’s been this last year that I’ve felt like a leader in this team.”

          Holland made her senior Cymru debut back in April 2021 against Canada in what was also former head coach Gemma Grainger’s first match in charge. The 27-year-old has since become a key player for her country and is now vice-captain.

          Ffion Morgan could also reach the same appearance milestone having made her debut against Northern Ireland in 2017. The match is remembered for Jess Fishlock earning her 100th cap in the 3-1 victory.

          “Ffion is fantastic,” said Holland. “She brings a lot of personality and a lot of pace. She’s absolutely rapid! I was really impressed with Ffion during the last camp. I thought she really improved, and that move to West Ham has been really beneficial for her.

          “She’s moved away from home, and she’s really put herself out there, and that’s what we need players to do. We need players to push themselves at the highest level, and that’s what Ffion has done.”

        79. WILKINSON REFLECTS ON SPECIAL YEAR

          Rhian Wilkinson has called on her squad to end what has been a record-breaking year for Cymru on a high as they prepare to take on Korea Republic and Switzerland in Spain.

          The Cymru head coach has seen her side take on a host of quality opposition both in the UEFA Nations League and EURO finals, and spoke to the media last week about the challenges faced during the calendar year.

          “It has been a year with one of the greatest highs which is obviously the EURO campaign,” said Wilkinson. “But equally, when you’re in Nations League A, when you’re at the EURO, when I’m trying to always play the best opposition, it’s tough.”

          “I purposely made our schedule very difficult, but it is a balance. We’re playing at the highest level, and we want to win. There’s something about our confidence that we’ve got to keep high going into next year’s qualifiers.

          “So, we have two more challenging games, and there’s a performance level that I just expect now.”

          Click here for more from Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson

        80. SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson has announced her squad for the upcoming international challenge matches against Korea Republic and Switzerland that will take place in Spain.

          Five uncapped players feature in the squad, including Plymouth Argyle duo Olivia Francis and Phoebie Poole, and a first call-up for Melbourne City midfielder Laura Hughes.

          Ella Powell, Rhiannon Roberts, Lily Woodham, Rachel Rowe and Esther Morgan all return to the squad following injury.

        81. There is no live report available for this match

        Lineups

        Starting

          Substitutes

            Starting

              Substitutes

                Match Info

                Stadium

                Date & Time

                Referee

                Fourth Official

                Assistant Referees

                Learn more from FA Wales

                Sign up to receive all things FAW, from team news, tickets, domestic, grassroots, to exclusive offers and prize draws.

                We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data – view our privacy policy by clicking here.