Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Osaka: DPR Korea and Korea Republic had to settle for a share of the spoils in their opening AFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 qualifier, drawing 1-1 at Nagai Stadium on Monday.
Jung Sul-bin put Korea Republic ahead in the 32nd minute, but DPR Korea’s Kim Un-ju made sure that her side – which has appeared at the past two Olympic Games – picked up a point from its opening encounter with a terrific strike from range in the 80th minute.
Korea Republic will next face hosts Japan, beaten 3-1 by Australia in the evening’s other tie, on Wednesday. DPR Korea, meanwhile, will face China who defeated Vietnam 2-0 in the day’s earlier match.
“Today our players played really well, just like how we prepared in the training sessions building up to the game,” said Korea Republic coach Yoon Duk-yeo.
“In the second half, DPR Korea’s superior stamina saw them equalise. We prepared very well, but DPR Korea has outstanding physical capability compared to our team.
“We have done well in the first match, next up is Japan. I’d like to analyse their team and hope we can play better than tonight in that game.”
DPR Korea were the first to try their luck in just the second minute, when Ri Ye-gyong tested Kim Jung-mi with an effort from just outside the area. The Korea Republic keeper managed to repel the effort, though, before it was lashed away to safety.
Other than that early attempt both teams struggled to get going in the opening stages, with the blustery conditions making it difficult to string passes together.
The breakthrough came in style just past the half-hour mark as Seo Hyun-sook threaded a crisp pass in to Lee Min-a, who showed terrific footwork to put the ball through Kim Un-ha’s legs before keeping her composure and squaring for Jung to tuck home.
Three-time AFC Women’s Asian Cup winners DPR Korea came out of the traps faster in the second half in search of an equaliser, though, with Kim Yun-mi not quite managing to direct a header on target in the 51st minute.
DPR Korea continued to set the pace in the following spell, with forward Kim Un-ju beginning to feel her way into the game and force Korea Republic back, and substitute Ri Hyang-sim looking lively on the right wing.
They struggled to fashion any clear-cut chances, though, and Ji So-yun had a good opportunity to double Korea Republic’s lead with a counter in the 74thminute.
The Chelsea playmaker was sent in on goal by Lee Geum-min, but failed to get any real purchase on her shot, which Hong Myong-hui fielded well.
Ji would soon go on to rue that miss, as Kim Un-ju finally rounded off a terrific individual performance by rifling home the equalizer from 25 yards with 10 minutes to go.
“In today’s game our players didn’t play very well or in keeping with my intentions. I think they were so excited to play in the first match,” said DPR Korea coach Kim Kwang-min.
“Unexpectedly we conceded first and now we have to do our best in the next game. I will tell my players to be calmer and to play as I know they can.”
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Jung Sul-bin put Korea Republic ahead in the 32nd minute, but DPR Korea’s Kim Un-ju made sure that her side – which has appeared at the past two Olympic Games – picked up a point from its opening encounter with a terrific strike from range in the 80th minute.
DPR Korea were the first to try their luck in just the second minute, when Ri Ye-gyong tested Kim Jung-mi with an effort from just outside the area. The Korea Republic keeper managed to repel the effort, though, before it was lashed away to safety.
Other than that early attempt both teams struggled to get going in the opening stages, with the blustery conditions making it difficult to string passes together.
The breakthrough came in style just past the half-hour mark as Seo Hyun-sook threaded a crisp pass in to Lee Min-a, who showed terrific footwork to put the ball through Kim Un-ha’s legs before keeping her composure and squaring for Jung to tuck home.
Three-time AFC Women’s Asian Cup winners DPR Korea came out of the traps faster in the second half in search of an equaliser, though, with Kim Yun-mi not quite managing to direct a header on target in the 51st minute.
DPR Korea continued to set the pace in the following spell, with forward Kim Un-ju beginning to feel her way into the game and force Korea Republic back, and substitute Ri Hyang-sim looking lively on the right wing.
They struggled to fashion any clear-cut chances, though, and Ji So-yun had a good opportunity to double Korea Republic’s lead with a counter in the 74th minute.
The Chelsea playmaker was sent in on goal by Lee Geum-min, but failed to get any real purchase on her shot, which Hong Myong-hui fielded well.
Ji would soon go on to rue that miss, as Kim Un-ju finally rounded off a terrific individual performance by rifling home the equalizer from 25 yards with 10 minutes to go.
Photo: Lagardère Sports