Philippines Women vs South Korea Women (10:00 today): Will there be a surprise?

While South Korea aims for an early knockout round ticket, the Philippines is determined to create an upset after their courageous performance against host Australia.

Despite losing 0-1 to Australia in their opening match, the Philippines received much praise for their disciplined play and strong fighting spirit. Coach Mark Torcaso stated that his players will continue to show "heart and determination" when facing one of the tournament's strongest teams.

Statistics show the Philippines made 26 tackles - double that of any other team in Group A, along with 53 clearances, the highest number in the tournament so far. Midfielder Sara Eggesvik stood out with 16 duels and 8 aerial challenges.

Against a technically superior and more experienced South Korea, the Philippines is likely to stick with a tight defensive setup, waiting for counter-attacking opportunities. However, their biggest challenge remains converting chances, as their attack lacked sharpness in the opening match.

South Korea enters with confidence after a 3-0 win over Iran. Coach Shin Sang Woo may rotate the squad due to a busy schedule but expects young players to bring fresh energy. One notable figure is 22-year-old forward Jeon Yu Gyeong, who just had an impressive season in Norway with 11 goals in 21 matches.

South Korea has won all 6 previous meetings against the Philippines, including 2 Asian Cup matches with an aggregate score of 7-0. The Philippines has managed at least one group stage win in the last three Asian Cups, but pulling off an upset against South Korea is their toughest challenge.

View 2026 Women's Championship news

View 2026 Women's Championship schedule

View 2026 Women's Championship standings

View 2026 Women's Championship results