41st minute, Son Hwa-yeon ‘red carded’ for accumulating cautions
Women’s soccer’s Belles go into halftime with a goal apiece in the ‘North vs. South’ quarterfinal at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.
Head coach Colleen Bell’s
Women’s national team battled to a 1-1 halftime tie against North Korea at the Wenzhou Sports Center Stadium in Wenzhou,
Zhejiang Province, China, on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. ET.
South Korea deployed a triangular formation with Son Hwa-yeon (Hyundai Steel) up front alongside Choi Yoo-ri (Birmingham
City) and Chun Ga-ram (Hwacheon KSPO).
In the center, Ji So-yeon, Jeon Eun-ha (Suwon FC) and Jang Seul-ki (Hyundai Steel) teamed up.
In the back four, Choo Hyo-joo, Shim Seo-yeon (Suwon FC), Park Eun-sun (Seoul City Hall), and Kim Hye-ri (Hyundai Steel)
were paired together. Park Eun-sun, a tall striker, was an unconventional choice for the last line of defense.
The goalkeeper’s gloves were worn by veteran goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi (Hyundai Steel).
North Korea, coached by Ri Yoo-il
Spearheaded the offense with striker Kim Yong-yong, who scored six goals in the group stage.
As if conscious of the North-South confrontation, both teams battled early on with rough play.
In the third minute of the first half, North Korea’s Hong Sung Ok attempted a two-footed tackle on Ji So Yeon, which resulted in a
collision between players from both teams. Hong received a warning.
Three minutes later, Son Hwa-yeon fell down while penetrating into the opponent’s penalty box, but no foul was called.
South Korea was the first to break the balance. In the 11th minute, Kim Hye-ri’s cross from a corner kick went over the North
Korean goalkeeper’s head and hit Ri Hye-kyung for an own goal.
The North Korean defense was distracted by the tall Park Eun-sun and missed the ball.
The lead was short-lived, however. North Korea fought back in the 20th minute when Ri Hak connected with a right-footed shot
from a free kick after a foul by Ji So Yeon and found the top corner of the South Korean right goal.
Chased by North Korea
South Korea suffered a setback in the 41st minute when forward Son Hwa-yeon was sent off for accumulating cautions.
As Son made her way into the opposition box, she collided with North Korean goalkeeper Kim Eun-hwi, who was shown a second yellow card by the referee.
It could have been seen as a normal contest for a loose ball, but the referee’s decision was not overturned. There was no video
assistant referee (VAR) in this match.
South Korea leads the all-time series against North Korea 1-3-3-15. The most recent meeting between the two Koreas was at the
East Asian Cup in December 2017, where they lost 0-1.
At the Asian Games, South Korea has lost all five meetings.
The Taeguknangs will be looking for their first gold medal at the Asian Games after winning three consecutive bronze medals
since Guangzhou 2010. 스포츠토토맨