Korea Republic won the EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2017 Round 2 HONG KONG Women’s Tournament on Monday with a 9-0 victory over Chinese Taipei at the Hong Kong Football Club.

The tournament favorites needed just a draw to advance on tiebreakers after winning their first two matches by a combined 27-0 score.

It appeared that they would take the lead in the sixth minute, but KANG Yumi’s first touch in the box was a bit too strong and the ball was immediately collected by Chinese Taipei goalkeeper CHU Fang-Yi.

Chinese Taipei striker YU Hsiu-Chin had a chance to take the lead when teammate LAI Li-Chin set her up in front of the penalty area, but the midfielder’s shot went straight to goalkeeper KANG Gaae.

Korea Republic finally found their scoring touch in the 13th minute when KWON Eunsom’s long pass was perfectly positioned for LEE Min A, whose deft touch punished CHU for coming so far off her line.

Five minutes later, JANG Selgi’s low cross was met by JUNG Seolbin, whose initial effort was blocked before KANG Yumi stuffed in the rebound.

After an extended period of solid defending by Chinese Taipei, Korea Republic’s next goal came in the 37th minute, with JANG delivering from near the edge of the box.

Just two minutes later, KANG set up striker LEE Geummin who was unmarked at the far post to score the team’s fourth goal of the match before the halftime break.

Korea Republic stepped up their performance in the second half, with attacking trio LEE Min A, JANG, and LEE Geummin constantly pressuring the Chinese Taipei defense.

Chinese Taipei’s CHU prevented a fifth goal allowed in the 59th minute when she rushed to bundle up the ball from MOON Mira, but one minute later the substitute midfielder would be all smiles when the goalkeeper failed to properly dispose of her cross, her error duly punished by JUNG Seolbin to make it 5-0.

After KANG muscled past midfielder LIN Ya-Han to score her second goal of the day in the 66th minute, she also landed another assist when MOON volleyed her cross less than two minutes later.

Substitute CHOE Yuri and midfielder CHO So Hyun rounded out the scoreline for YOON Duk-Yeo’s side, who will join hosts Japan, 2015 winners DPR Korea, and China in the 2017 Final Round.

By Cesare Polenghi (twitter)