The Korea Republic team training yesterday, AFC photo by Stanley Chou

KUALA LUMPUR: Korea Republic will be hoping to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat to China when they face a strong Australia team in their final Group A match on Saturday at MPPJ Stadium.

The Koreans made a slow start against the Chinese in their first match on Thursday, going down 3-0 by the 37th minute before clawing back one goal.

Despite dominating the second half, Korea Republic were unable to get the goals needed against a powerful Chinese side.

Coach Kim Yong-ho expects a tough match against Australia and knows that defeat would end his side’s hopes of glory.

“I’m sure our match against Australia will be much better,” said Kim, whose side finished fourth at the 2005 tournament. “Against China, we were confused in the first half and made some basic errors.”

“We want to make sure that the same thing doesn’t happen again. If we can play the way we did in the second half against China, then we have a good chance against Australia.”

“But we have to play that way for the whole match, not just one half.”

Although Korea Republic had most of the play after the break, China, with a comfortable two-goal lead, clearly took their foot off the gas.

The Koreans will be relying on captain and striker Ji So-yun, who scored an exquisite free-kick against China that gave her team some hope.

Park Hee-young and Lee Hyunyoung were also in good form against China, supporting Ji in attack and causing problems for their opponents’ defenders.

Australia, however, are among the strongest teams in Asia and will provide the Koreans with a tough test.

Victory for Australia would guarantee them a place in the semi-finals along with China because the Koreans would have already been eliminated.

The final match of the group is on Monday, when the Aussies take on China.