Head coach Colleen Bell’s (England) women’s soccer team came out firing on all cylinders.
The team defeated Thailand 10-1 in the first match of Group B at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 Asian Second Qualifying Round at Yigret Stadium in Xiamen, China, on Saturday (June 26). South Korea recorded its first win thanks to hat tricks from Casey Eugene Fair (16-Independent) and Chun Garam (21-Hwacheon KSPO), a multi-goal performance from Kang Chae-rim (25-Incheon Hyundai Steel), and goals from Lee Keum-min (29-Brighton) and Moon Mi-ra (31-Suwon FC).

The ‘Belles’ were in desperate need of a turnaround. Following a group stage exit at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the team reached the quarterfinals at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. After two heartbreaking defeats, the team set a new goal: to qualify for their first Olympic Games.

However, the challenge is not without its challenges. South Korea was drawn in Group B with Thailand and traditional powerhouses North Korea and China. The top three teams from each group in the second round of qualifying, plus one team with the best record, will advance to the final round. South Korea will need to go at least 1-1 against North Korea and China to secure at least second place in the group. This is not the end. The final round is scheduled for next February. Two home-and-home games against one of the top four teams will determine who will advance to the Olympics.

Luckily, they got off to a good start. With a 10-goal blitz, the team set the tone. The star of the show was American-born Casey. After becoming the youngest player to play at the Women’s World Cup in July at 16 years and 26 days, she emerged as the next ace of the tournament, scoring her debut goal and a hat trick against Thailand in her fourth A-match. Casey scored her first goal for the national team at 16 years and 119 days, making her the second-youngest player to ever score for the national team behind Ji So-yeon (15 years and 282 days). Casey’s arrival is a big boost for the Reign. 메이저사이트