The hero of the dramatic equalizing goal, Ji So-yeon (34, Seattle Reign), conveyed a calm yet firm determination ahead of the match against Japan.
The South Korea women's national football team, led by coach Shin Sang-woo, will face Japan on the 13th in the second match of the 2025 East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship at Suwon World Cup Stadium. After drawing 2-2 with China in the first match, South Korea is faced with the necessity of overcoming Japan in order to compete for the championship.
At the center of it all is still Ji So-yeon. In the match against China on the 9th, while trailing 1-2, Ji So-yeon scored a blazing shot from distance during injury time in the second half, earning a point for the team. Without that goal, the possibility of winning could have been completely dashed.
Two days after the match, on the 11th, Ji So-yeon reflected on the goal during an official interview conducted by the Korea Football Association before the national team training.
Ji So-yeon said, "When (Kim) Min-ji got the ball, I had a good feeling. I thought she would pass it to me, and the timing was just right. From the moment I received the ball, I had confidence that 'this is going to be a goal,' and when I shot, it led to a good outcome."
That goal had significance beyond just being an equalizer. It was a strike that embodied the 'heart of the team,' revitalizing their momentum and shifting the atmosphere. Ji So-yeon herself was aware of its importance.
What was confirmed through the match against China was the reality that mere desperation was not enough. The overall performance was insufficient to compete against Japan. Ji So-yeon emphasized in her brief interview that reflection and preparation over the past two days were definitely necessary.
She noted, "The coach has set the goal of winning the tournament, and so have we," adding, "To do that, we must win against Japan. Japan is, as you know, a really strong team, but we will do our best to fight as challengers. I will prepare to show a better performance by addressing the shortcomings from the match against China over the past two days."
As the Korea-Japan rivalry reignites, the goal of winning the East Asian Cup is on the line. The national team must put everything on the line in the second match. And at the center of it all remains Ji So-yeon.
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