Koreans in Europe: Choe Yu-ri gets first goal for Birmingham

Football

Published: 11 Dec. 2023, 09:28 Updated: 11 Dec. 2023, 17:52

Koreans in Europe: Choe Yu-ri gets first goal for Birmingham

Birmingham City mark Choe Yu-ri's goal in an image posted on the club's official X account. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Choe Yu-ri scored her first goal for Birmingham City on Sunday, breaking the deadlock in stoppage time to carry the Blues through to the fourth round of the FA Cup at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes.

Choe’s goal came two minutes into stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes, poking the ball through the defense and into the back of the net to give the Blues the edge at the last minute.

Ivana Fuso added one more for Birmingham two minutes later, facing an empty goal with the Dons’ keeper still at the other end of the pitch after a last-gasp set piece failure.

The loss knocks the Dons, who have already fought through two rounds of the competition, out, and carries Birmingham through to the fourth round.

The Blues entered the FA Cup in the third round as second-tier side, with the Super League teams set to join the tournament in the fourth round.

Choe joined Birmingham in September on a two-year deal from WK League side Hyundai Steel Red Angels. She is one of two Korean players on the books at the Women’s Championship team, alongside countrywoman and national team teammate Cho So-hyun.

Cho, a Super League veteran who spent long spells at West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur, also joined Birmingham in September but is yet to appear for the club.

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