Korea Republic look to channel spirit of Bogota against Ecuador

After drawing with France in their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026™ opener and then suffering a 3-1 defeat to Ghana, Korea Republic now face a do-or-die clash with Ecuador.

The importance of the match goes beyond simply keeping Korea Republic alive in the tournament. The players have gained a clearer understanding of where they currently stand on the world stage and the areas in which they still need to improve.

“If we don’t get any points against Ecuador, we have no hope, so we’re going to give it everything we have," Korea Republic coach Park Younjeong told FIFA bluntly.

"The players have clearly grown and improved over the first two matches, but seeing players from around the world has also shown us where we still need to develop. I think it would be good for the players to improve a little more in terms of physicality, speed and decision-making.”

Centre-back Nam Seungeun, who is appearing at her second U-20 Women’s World Cup under Park, came away from the Ghana game with similar thoughts. Speaking to FIFA, Nam stressed that Korea Republic need to think and move the ball more quickly if they are to counter the pace and strength of their opponents.

“We were definitely lacking in pace and strength compared to Ghana,” Nam said. “To overcome that, we needed to make quicker decisions and move the ball faster, but we weren’t able to do that today.”

However, the experience of testing herself directly against players from around the world has provided Nam with added motivation. Having previously competed primarily against Asian opposition, she sees the U-20 Women’s World Cup as an opportunity both to identify the areas in which she needs to improve and to learn what it will take to reach the next level.

“Having mainly played in Asia, facing strong teams from different countries at the World Cup has made me realise that I need to improve technically and develop my speed and strength,” Nam said. “It also made me realise that I need to work even harder than I do now.”

The gap she has experienced at this tournament has encouraged Nam to set her sights even higher. Having already experienced life abroad in Japan, her next ambitions are to play in Europe, compete in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and appear at the senior FIFA Women’s World Cup™.

“I’d like to go to Europe and play against top players there,” said the Bunnies Gunma FC White Star defender. “I’d also like to play in the Champions League and at the senior World Cup.”

Before any of that, however, Ecuador are the immediate challenge. After experiencing first-hand the importance of physicality, pace and decision-making on the world stage in their opening two matches, Korea Republic must now turn those lessons into a result.

Both Park and Nam found themselves in a similar situation at their first U-20 Women’s World Cup, Colombia 2024. Korea Republic lost to Nigeria and drew with Venezuela, leaving their hopes of progressing hanging by a thread. They then edged Germany 1-0 in their third group match to claim their first victory of the tournament.

The result saw them finish among the four best third-placed teams and dramatically secure a place in the round of 16 – their first appearance at that stage in ten years.

Speaking to FIFA before this year’s tournament, Nam vividly recalled that day. “Our third group-stage match was against Germany. I think anyone looking at the game would have thought, ‘Germany will win this.’ But we had prepared really well, caused an upset with the win and made it through to the last 16. I remember being overcome with emotion during that whole experience.”

Can Park's side recreate the miraculous scenes of Bogota two years ago when they take to the pitch in Lodz on Saturday?