Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pyongyang: Korea Republic sent a strong message to Group B leaders DPR Korea as a hat-trick from Lee-Guem-min helped seal a resounding 10-0 victory over India in their opening AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 qualifying match on Wednesday
Korea Republic‘s sensational opener leaves them occupying second place in the group, just three points behind table topping DPR Korea, and with the two regional rivals set to face each other in what promises to be an epic and historical encounter on Friday.
Korea Republic started brightly at the Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang, taking the lead after just twelve minutes when Lee Eun-mi’s sublime cross found Kang Yu-mi, who peeled off her marker before unleashing a fine finish beyond the hapless Panthoi.
It took just seven minutes for the Taegeuk Ladies to double their lead courtesy of another excellent cross, this time from captain Ji So-yun whose pinpoint delivery found the industrious Lee Eun-mi. The defender displayed poacher-liked instincts, arriving early in the box and then steering a first-touch finish into the back of the net.
The impressive Koreans continued to threaten and were rewarded with a third goal after Kang Yu-mi turn provider with a delightful corner which Lee-Guem-min powerfully headed home.
Lee-Guem-min duly added her second and Korea Republic’s fourth in what was arguably the best move of the half. Following an impressive string of passes, Lee Min-a supplied a defence-splitting pass to free Kang Yu-mi, who produced a magical pass for Lee to finish easily past Panthoi.
Worse was still to come for India however, as Lee Eun-mi - creator of Korea Republic’s first goal - found herself on the end of a series of slick exchanges to give the Taegeuk Ladies a 5-0 lead going into the break.
Korea Republic continued the second half on the front foot, with Yoo Young-a converting Kang Yu-mi’s cross to make it six in the 64th minute.
A flurry of goals was soon to follow, Lee-Guem-min notching Group B’s first hat-trick, and captain Ji So-yun together with substitute Lee Sod-am benefiting from some sloppy Indian defending to give Korea Republic a hefty 9-0 lead.
Another low cross from Lee Eun-mi then produced a calamity of errors in the Indian penalty area, and the ball fell kindly to Ji for Korea Republic’s tenth and final goal of the game.
With Korea Republic set to face DPR Korea on Friday, India will now be hoping to register their first points when they face Uzbekistan later the same day.
Korea Republic Head Coach, coach Yoon Deok-yeo:
"Our players did their best despite the heavy rain. I am particularly pleased with our ability to score. I am sure that this result will definitely help to strengthen our confidence and team spirit. I first met the DPR Korea coach in 2004. Since then I have met him every year and I must admit that he has done a great job with the national team. This is my second visit to Pyongyang in 27 years, and I would like to extend my appreciation to DPR Korea for their hospitality. I know today’s result means we have scored two more than DPR Korea did against India. I think every goal is very important. If we draw with DPR Korea, then of course these goals will determine if we can qualify for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. I think the game will be tough but we have prepared for the game, and if we go according to our plan, we will perform well. My players share the same mind as me. We want to win on Friday.
Indian Head Coach, Sajid Yousof Dar:
"First of all, my congratulations to Korea Republic for their performance. I need to thank teams like Korea Republic and DPR Korea for giving us such a fantastic opportunity. It is an honour for us to play these teams through this qualifiers. Korea Republic are technical and tactically very sound. We have been playing in our region, and we know cannot keep playing the same matches against the regional teams. The last two games have been a great learning journey for us and I am sure there are positives we can take from here to ensure Indian football progresses further."
Photo: DPR Korea Football Association