Accra, July 17, GNA - Ghana's Black Princesses on Saturday succumbed to South Korea Republic's superiority in an enthralling struggle between two skilful, spirited sides in Dresden that saw the South East Asians coming from behind on two occasions to win 4-2.

With the win, the Koreans have booked their place in the quarter-finals. For Ghana the situation is more complicated as they have only a single point to show from their two games in Group D.

Ghana led 2-1 early in the second half but allowed their opponents to score three times in the final 28 minutes with the fourth coming from Ji So-Yun, her second of the game adding to the hat-trick she scored in the 4-0 win over Switzerland on Wednesday.

Early on Ghana succeeded in keeping the talented Ji quiet, one, two and even three defenders quick to close her down. However she did manage to evade her markers in the 7th minute as she got on the end of Kim Jin-Young's cross but in came Juliet Acheampong with a great block.

The game really got going in the 26th minute when Kim Hye-Ri and then Ji had a sight of goal but finished too high. However, it was the African team who then went away and scored - a neat pass from Mercy Myles putting Deborah Afriyie in position to the left of goal and she managed to loft a shot out of the reach of Moon So-Ri.

In the 41st minute it was back to level pegging again as Kim's in-swinging free-kick saw Ji get the slightest touch on it to score. In added time Elizabeth Cudjoe struck the post for Ghana with a low shot.

Korea found it easier to create opportunities in the second half. There were two good openings for Lee Hyun Young at the far post during the second period which she snatched at and they looked to be costly misses when in the 56th minute Ghana went ahead again when Cudjoe scored from a loose ball.

The lead lasted just six minutes and this time an outstanding free-kick from Kim brought the scores level again. It gave Korea Republic a surge of belief and they went on to score two more to finish well in front.

In the 70th minute good combination work from Ji and Jung Hae-In put in Kim Jin-Young who stabbed the ball home. Madson and Afriye came close in the same move and then with three minutes remaining Ji popped up to score with a precise header to make the game safe for Choi In Cheul's side.