A first half-brace from Eleanor Ryan Doyle proved to be enough for Ireland to seal top spot in Group C and will play the runners-up of Group A (which consists of China, Mexico and Russia) on Monday evening.
Ireland took the lead after six minutes from the penalty spot. Aislinn Meaney’s through ball found Ryan Doyle who raced through and was bundled over by the goalkeeper just inside the box. The TU Dublin student dusted herself off and convert the penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way.
Ireland did not enjoy as much possession of the ball as they did on Tuesday night with South Korea not allowing the team time on the ball. They had a number of chances during the first half with Chaerin Han forcing Amanda McQuillan to re-adjust her feet to stop a swerving shot and Lauren Dwyer was forced into clearing a shot off the line.
As the game headed towards half time Ireland doubled their advantage when Lauren Dwyer sent a ball long which the centre-half misjudged. Ryan Doyle burst through and spotted goalkeeper Hyerim Kang off her line and lifted the ball over her from 22 yards and into net.
South Korea pulled a goal back just before half-time when Yeji Namgug’s free kick was diverted into the Irish goal off the head of Shauna Fox.
Having not played beforehand in the tournament, South Korea showed their freshness in the 30C heat in the second half and controlled the ball for large parts as Ireland’s defence and midfield focused on limiting the number of opportunities on goal with Niamh Farrelly putting in a huge shift covering the width of the pitch and disrupting numerous attacks.
The result ended in the Ireland's favour and followed on from their superb victory against Brazil on Tuesday evening.
Dave Connell's side will have a couple of days off and will have a keen eye on Saturday’s Group A fixture between China and Russia.
Ireland: McQuillan, Dwyer (O’Callaghan 66’), Fox, Doyle, Mustaki, Farrelly, Kelly, Smyth-Lynch (McGuinness 55), Gargan, Ryan-Doyle, Gargan
Referee: Choki Om (Bhutan)
2019 FISU Summer Universiade Women's Football - Group C Result
Ireland 1-0 Brazil
Republic of Korea 1-2 Ireland
2019 FISU Summer Universiade Women's Football – Quarter Final
08/07: TBC v Ireland, Stadio M. Torre, 6pm (5pm Irish Time)