Korea DPR triumph in Women's East Asian Cup
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| AFP |
Korea DPR won the 2015 EAFF Women's East Asian Cup with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over rivals Korea Republic in Wuhan, China on Saturday. A draw was all that was required by Korea DPR to win the four-team, round robin tournament, but a deflected Yun Song-Mi free-kick and a Ra Un-Sim goal in the second half sealed the tournament with a victory.
Korea DPR goalkeeper Hong Myong-Hui narrowly avoided embarrassment in the tenth minute when she let a long range Jung Seolbin shot slip under her body, but recovered to stop the ball just before it crossed the line. In the 20th minute, Korea Republic defender Lim Seonjoo was booked for holding back Korea DPR striker Ra Un-Sim, who was threatening to break through on goal.
Korea DPR then broke the deadlock from the resulting free-kick around 25 yards out, when Yun Song-Mi's effort took a deflection and flew into the net. Korea Republic almost struck back seven minutes later, when Jung Seolbin curled a shot from the left hand edge of the box but the ball crashed off the post and was cleared.
Korea DPR extended their lead in the 51st minute when Ra Un-Sim evaded three Korea Republic defenders to slot a low diagonal shot into the net and make it 2-0. Korea Republic had much of the play in the second half but were unable to capitalise, and the final whistle brought exuberant celebrations as Korea DPR were crowned East Asian Cup winners.
Four teams compete in the East Asia Cup which is run every second year and usually contested between China, Japan and the two Koreas. The men's and women's editions ran concurrently in Wuhan, central China, this year.