Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pyongyang: Jang Selgi’s second half strike helped Korea Republic secure a dramatic 1-1 draw with neighbours DPR Korea on Wednesday, as the two regional rivals made history by playing each other for the first time in Pyongyang.
After both sides were forced to settle for a share of the spoils, the race to top Group B of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 qualifiers remains wide open. Kim Kwang-min’s table-topping DPR Korea side are three points ahead of Korea Republic having played a game more than the Taeguk Ladies, although Uzbekistan who are set to play India later, can still not be discounted.
With emotions running high, both sides made an understandably nervy start to the game, although it was to be the home side who would carve out the first chance thorough a low Kim Yun-mi drive which was smartly turned away by Korea Republic goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi.
As Korea Republic began to wobble, DPR Korea were awarded a penalty from the resulting corner, when Shin Dam-yeong was adjudged to have raised her foot in the box following a defensive scramble.
Wi Jong-sim stepped up to take the spot kick, but Kim Jung-mi rose to the occasion once more to deny the midfielder with six minutes played.
Ri Un-yong then powered a header narrowly wide of the Korea Republic goal, before Ji So-yun’s mazy run and shot, coupled with a Cho So-hyun effort demonstrated that the visitors were still well and truly in the hunt.
However, DPR Korea eventually made the breakthrough in the last minute of injury time, Sung Hyang-sim threading a sublime pass between Korea Republic’s Lim Seon-joo and Jang Sel-gi to find Kim Yun-mi who drove the ball calmly past an onrushing Kim Jung-mi.
Korea Republic started the brighter of the two teams after the break, and were almost rewarded on 50 minutes, this time Yoo Young-a’s clever delivery setting up Lee Geum-min to unleash a thunderbolt which flew narrowly over Hong Myong-hui’s goal.
Their laudable resurgence was to pay dividends in the 76th minute, Jang weaving her way through the DPR Korea defence and letting fly to silence the 42,500 home support.
DPR Korea will now need a dominant win over Uzbekistan in their final Group B fixture on Sunday to keep alive their hope of qualification, while Korea Republic, still with two more games to play in Group B, face Hong Kong on the same day.
DPR Korea head coach Kim Kwang-min:
“Today’s match was very crucial. We could not get the result we needed. We failed to convert that penalty in the opening minutes and I believe that affected the performance of my players. We needed to be more patient with our approach. I believe that they were thinking too much about getting the victory and this resulted in the draw. We have a new generation of players but Korea Republic have more experienced players than us. They have not made any changes since 2013, therefore they have the more solid team.”
Korea Republic head coach, coach Yoon Deok-yeo:
“We were expecting a tense atmosphere here in DPR Korea; therefore we were well prepared for the match. Our players are used to this type of atmosphere and can adapt to the game mentally. After the game, I met the DPR Korea coach who showed his appreciation of the efforts from our players. I am pleased with the result and now we hope score as many goals as possible in our remaining matches.”
Photo: DPR Korea Football Association