The records are already flying in ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup later this month as Korean-American teenager Casey Phair becomes the first mixed-race player to make a senior South Korean women’s or men’s national team.
Phair, who is just 16 years old, has been selected by head coach Colin Bell to the nation’s 23-player squad for the upcoming tournament in New Zealand and Australia.
Although she was born in New Jersey, the teenage forward has a Korean mother and an American father and has represented South Korea at the youth level.
Phair showcased her talent during April’s qualification for the AFC Women’s U17 Asian Cup, scoring twice in Korea’s 16-0 win against Tajikistan before bagging a hat-trick in a 12-0 thrashing of Hong Kong.
Taegeuk Ladies coach Bell explained that it was his utmost duty to protect the 16-year-old amid selection rows for the biggest edition of the Mundial yet.
“I’ve seen and analysed all of the players who were in the 31 before the camp started and Casey [Phair] has basically backed up my first opinion that she is good enough to be selected and that is what she’s proven,” the 61-year-old coach said.
“I know as the first mixed race player for Korea, men and women, it’s a highlight.
“Casey is going not as a passenger but as a valuable member of the squad and has every chance of getting into the team and I also want to have that competition,” he added.
South Korea is in Group H, and they will kick off their tournament against Colombia on July 25 before games against Morocco and Germany.
SOUTH KOREA FULL SQUAD FOR THE FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
Goalkeepers: Ryu Ji-soo, Kim Jung-mi, Yoon Young-guel
Defenders: Shim Seo-yeon, Lee Young-ju, Lim Seon-joo, Kim Hye-ri, Jang Sel-ji, Choo Hyo-joo, Hong Hye-ji
Midfielders: Kim Yun-ji, Jeon Eun-ha, Bae Ye-bin, Cho So-hyun, Lee Geum-min, Ji So-yun, Chun Ga-ram
Forwards: Kang Chae-rim, Son Hwa-yeon, Moon Mi-ra, Park Eun-sun, Choe Yu-ri, Casey Phair Yu-jin
