North and South Korea draw 1-1 in Asian Games women’s football
North and South Korea drew 1-1 in a physical Asian Games women’s football group match. North Korea led through Chae Un Yong before South Korea’s Yun Su-jeong equalised after half-time. Both teams reached the quarter-finals, while South Korea coach Shin Sang-woo said his players had been nervous.
North and South Korea drew 1-1 in a physical women’s football group match at the Asian Games on Monday. North Korea took the lead in the first half when Chae Un Yong scored from close range. South Korea equalised after the interval through Yun Su-jeong, who finished the move effectively.
The match produced 27 fouls, with the first coming within 30 seconds. South Korea received three yellow cards and North Korea one. Just over 2,000 supporters attended the game at a stadium with a 50,000 capacity.
Some North Korean fans wore red shirts, painted their faces with the national flag and carried signs supporting their team. The teams exchanged brief high-fives at the final whistle but did not speak to one another. The two countries remain technically at war because the 1950-53 conflict ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
South Korea coach Shin Sang-woo said his young players had been nervous because it was their first match against North Korea. He said the political situation did not matter in the football contest and that the priority was achieving results. Asked about a handshake with North Korean coach Pak Song Jin, Shin said North Korean leaders had not practised handshakes for a long time.
Pak described the fixture as being within the framework of football rather than a special occasion. Both teams advanced to the last eight. South Korea are due to face Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals.
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