The women’s soccer team is set to join the ranks of women’s basketball, women’s handball, and baseball in facing off against Japan. Led by head coach Shin Sang-woo, the South Korean women’s soccer squad is eyeing their first medal in eight years and a historic first-ever appearance in the finals.
South Korea will take on host nation Japan in the semifinals of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games women’s soccer tournament on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. (KST) at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa.
Having clinched bronze medals in three consecutive tournaments – 2010 Guangzhou, 2014 Incheon, and 2018 Jakarta-Palembang – the South Korean women’s soccer team is now aiming to break new ground by reaching the finals and securing a medal after an eight-year drought.
While the Asian Games often feature matchups between South Korea, China, and Japan, the ball game rivalries, particularly those between South Korea and Japan, tend to draw heightened interest.
South Korea has already notched impressive victories against Japan in major ball sports, including men’s and women’s basketball, women’s handball, and baseball. A win in women’s soccer would further cement their dominance in these events.
However, the Japanese women’s soccer team is a formidable opponent. South Korea’s historical record against them stands at a challenging 4 wins, 12 draws, and 20 losses.
While South Korea’s best finish has been bronze, Japan has consistently medaled since women’s soccer became an official event at the 1990 Beijing Games, boasting 3 golds, 4 silvers, and 2 bronzes.
Nevertheless, South Korea’s recent form has been impressive. Their strong organization and potent attack have raised hopes of overcoming Japan.
Under coach Shin Sang-woo’s guidance, the team has adopted a compact playing style that maintains a tight connection between defense and offense, making them resilient and hard to break down. The team’s offensive prowess is evident, with established stars like Ji So-yeon and Choi Yu-ri being complemented by emerging talents such as Yoon Soo-jung and Kim Min-ji, who have also found the back of the net.
South Korea’s defensive solidity was on full display during their group stage encounter with tournament favorites North Korea, where they held their ground to secure a respectable 1-1 draw.
The game plan against Japan will likely focus on maintaining a strong defensive shape and looking to capitalize on counter-attacking opportunities to potentially upset their rivals.
Should South Korea emerge victorious against Japan, they will advance to the final on October 2 at 7:30 p.m. (KST), facing the winner of the China-North Korea match at the same venue.
In case of a defeat, they will compete for the bronze medal on October 2 at 3:00 p.m. (KST) against the loser of the China-North Korea clash.
