Women's team to play two friendlies against New Zealand

Ji So-yun, left, takes the ball away from Megan Rapinoe of the United States during a friendly at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas on Oct. 21. [AFP/YONHAP]

The Korean national women's football team will play two friendlies against New Zealand later this month as they continue the 2022 Asian Football Confederation Women's Asian Cup.

Korea will host New Zealand for both games, to be held at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, Gyeonggi on Nov. 27 and Nov. 30. The first game, which is held on a Saturday, is expected to kickoff around 2 p.m., with the following Tuesday game kicking off at 7 p.m.

Assuming current social distancing regulations don't change, both games are likely to be open to vaccinated members of the public.

The Nov. 27 game will be the first friendly the women's team have had the chance to play on home soil in over two years, since a tune-up match against Iceland in April 2019.

New Zealand, who will host the 2023 Women's World Cup along with Australia, are ranked at No. 23 in the world, just five spots behind Korea at No. 18. The similar rankings could set up a tight game, although historically Korea have a significant advantage — in 11 matches, Korea have won five and drawn five, losing just one.

The friendlies serve as a warmup for Korea ahead of the 2022 Asian Football Confederation Women's Asian Cup in India next January, where the Taeguk Ladies will be looking to earn their third Women's World Cup ticket.

The women's team were in action last month for two friendlies against the world No. 1 United States. After drawing the first game, Korea dropped the second 6-0.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]