South Korea’s women’s team clinched their first EAFF championship in twenty years after eventually finding a way past a dogged Taiwan team.

The Mulan, who a few days earlier had endured a heartbreaking loss to China, looked mentally and physically fatigued. By contrast, South Korea came into the game knowing that after tournament favorites Japan had earlier drawn 0-0 with China, a two-goal win would clinch the title for the Taeguek.

Understandably, South Korea threw the kitchen sink at Taiwan, who knew what was coming and played for the draw. South Korea had 75% possession and 24 shots, and entire passages of play went by with Taiwan calmly watching their opponents keep the ball.

Perhaps if Taiwan had played this game at the start of the EAFF Finals, things might have been different. But as time went by on the night, it felt like Taiwan had nothing left in the tank given that this was their sixth game in sixteen days across two tournaments and three countries.

South Korea finally made the breakthrough when Ji Soyun scored from the penalty spot after Chen Jin-wen committed a foul in the box with 70 minutes played.

With the game fading out, Kim Hye-ri then breezed down the right sideline and her cross was smashed home first-time by Jang Sel-gi from about twelve yards out. 

Given the circumstances, the Mulan can return home with their heads held high. Not only did they qualify for the AFC Finals next year, they also played solidly in an EAFF tournament that featured three of the major powers in Asian women’s football.