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Arnold Clark Cup | Group Stage
Feb 22, 2023 at 4.45pm UK
 

1-2

So-yun (69')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Caruso (6'), Rosucci (95')

Preview: South Korea Women vs. Italy Women - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Arnold Clark Cup clash between South Korea Women and Italy Women including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

On Wednesday, South Korea Women will face Italy Women in the final round of Arnold Clark Cup fixtures at Ashton Gate.

After losing their previous two games, both South Korea and Italy will be aiming to claim their first points of the invitational tournament.


Match preview

Italy Women's Manuela Giugliano celebrates scoring their first goal with Sofia Cantore on February 16, 2023© Reuters

After beginning their Arnold Clark Cup campaign with a disappointing 4-0 defeat to European champions England, South Korea attempted to bounce back against Belgium on Sunday.

Things were going according to plan for Colin Bell's side when Lee Geum-min opened the scoring in the 10th minute.

As it proved, they were unable to hold firm until the break as Tessa Wullaert equalised in first-half stoppage time before a 68th-minute strike from Tine de Caigny condemned South Korea to a 2-1 defeat.

South Korea currently sit bottom of the standings on goal difference, but they will finish the Arnold Clark Cup in third position with a win over Italy

Having conceded at least two goals in their first two matches of the invitational tournament, the 2022 Asian Cup finalists need to improve defensively if they are to claim three points on Wednesday.

Italy, meanwhile, have suffered five consecutive defeats across all internationals after losing both of their Arnold Clark Cup matches by a 2-1 scoreline.

They looked set to claim a point from their opening game against Belgium until Wullaert scored a 90th-minute winner to leave them empty-handed.

In Sunday's meeting against a much-changed England side, Italy trailed at half time following Rachel Daly's 32nd-minute opener.

Just after the hour mark, Sofia Cantore scored her first international goal to level the scoreline, but Daly scored her second goal to clinch a 2-1 victory for the Lionesses, leaving Italy without a point after two games.

While a draw would keep Italy above South Korea, Milena Bertolini will be desperate for her side to claim their first victory since September, as they look to build confidence ahead of the World Cup later this year.

South Korea Women Arnold Clark Cup form:


South Korea Women form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • L

Italy Women Arnold Clark Cup form:


Italy Women form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L


Team News

Italy Women coach Milena Bertolini looks on during the warm up before the match on February 16, 2023© Reuters

Shim Seo-yeon came into the side for Sunday's meeting with Belgium, and although her country was unable to avoid defeat, she is expected to retain her place in the back three alongside Lim Seon-joo and Kim Hye-ri.

Ji So-yun, who is both the all-time appearance holder and top goal scorer of the South Korea women's national team, is expected to feature in the lineup after being brought into the starting XI against Belgium.

Park Eun-sun featured as a half-time substitute against Belgium, and she could be given a starting berth for Wednesday's contest.

After fielding a relatively inexperienced side for the opening match, Italy made eight changes to their side for Sunday's defeat to England.

While wholesale changes are not expected for their final Arnold Clark Cup game, Bertolini could still be tempted to make a couple of alterations.

After coming off the bench to score against England, Cantore may feature in the starting lineup, and there could also be a place for Juventus midfielder Arianna Caruso.

South Korea Women possible starting lineup:
J M Kim; H R Kim, Lim, Shim; Choo, G M Lee, Ji, S G Jang; Choe, Son, E U Park

Italy Women possible starting lineup:
Giuliani; Bergamaschi, Lenzini, Salvai, Boattin; Caruso, Rosucci, Giugliano; Cantore, Bonansea, Giacinti


SM words green background

We say: South Korea Women 1-1 Italy Women

South Korea are ranked 15 in the world - just two places higher than Italy - and with both sides yet to pick up a point in the Arnold Clark Cup, we expect Wednesday's encounter to be a cagey affair, which could result in the spoils being shared.

How to watch

You can watch South Korea Women vs. Italy Women and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.
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Written by
Ben Sully

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Game History

How you voted: S. Korea Women vs Italy Women

South Korea Women
42.9%
Draw
18.6%
Italy Women
38.6%
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