Gold Coast: As she prepares to make her AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ debut on Monday, Ko Yoo-jin would hardly have imagined that she would be in this position a year ago.

Having featured for Korea Republic at various youth levels, most notably turning out at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016, the then-midfielder never quite made the leap to the senior side. While a maiden call-up came in April 2022, Ko never received a cap and did not feature in the set-up thereafter.

That was until March last year, when current head coach Shin Sang-woo gave her a second shot - one that Ko made the very best of. A long-awaited debut arrived in an away friendly against Australia in the following month, followed by five more appearances as she swiftly established herself at the heart of the defence. .....

🇰🇷 𝐊𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐨-𝐣𝐢𝐧 is calling on Gold Coast!

The Korea Republic captain is ready to bring the energy 📣#WAC2026 pic.twitter.com/ZcJHLcH7Nd

— #WAC2026 (@afcasiancup) March 1, 2026

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