Choe Yu-ri scores winner as Taeguk Ladies beat Jamaica

Choe Yu-ri celebrates after scoring for Korea in a friendly against Jamaica at Hwaseong Sports Town in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi on Saturday. [YONHAP]

The Korean national women's football team beat Jamaica 1-0 in a friendly at Hwaseong Sports Town in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi on Saturday, with Hyundai Steel Red Angels veteran Choe Yu-ri scoring the winner.

Choe fired in her ninth goal for the national team in only the 14th minute of the match, picking up a deflection after a long Lee Min-a effort rebounded off the post. Choe jumped in to grab the rebound, slotting it straight past Jamaican goalkeeper Sydney Schneider.

Choe was one of a number of standout players for Korea in what looked to be a fairly well executed training match for the squad following a disappointing outing at the EAFF E-1 Football Championship in July.

Head coach Colin Bell called up a full strength squad, with Korea's all-time top scorer Ji So-yun joined by national team regulars like Choe, Lee Min-a, Brighton's Lee Geum-min and Jang Sel-gi.

Noticeably absent was Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Cho So-hyun, who is out with an injury. Cho's absence, however, did allow Ji to draw level with her on 142 first team appearances, the most by any Korean footballer, both men's and women's. Cho previously held that title, but now shares it with Ji.

The win against Jamaica is not insignificant, with the Caribbean side ranking at No. 42 on the FIFA world ranking and earning a spot at the 2023 Australia-New Zealand Women's World Cup.

The two sides will face off again on Sept. 6 at the Paju National Training Center.

The friendlies are an important tune-up tournament for both sides ahead of the World Cup. The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off on July 20 next year. The draw for the group stage is scheduled to take place on Oct. 22.

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