[아이뉴스24 송대성 기자] The Korean women’s soccer team, aiming to win the first Asian Cup in history, announced a good start.
The national team, led by coach Colin Bell, defeated Vietnam 3-0 in the first round of Group C of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup held at Siri Sib Chhatrapati Sports Town in Pune, India on the 21st (Korean time).
Ace Ji So-yeon (Chelsea) led Korea’s victory with a multi-goal. Ji So-yeon, who played the 132nd match, increased her record for most goals in a match in Korea to 61.
South Korea placed second in group behind Japan, which defeated Myanmar 5-0.
South Korea and Vietnam played a match amid the bad news of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
Korea’s goalkeeper Yoon Young-geul (Han Su-won), defender Kim Hye-ri (Hyundai Steel), midfielders Park Ye-eun (Han Su-won), and Jo Mi-jin (Korea University) were not included in the list as they were diagnosed with COVID-19.
Vietnam was even worse. Before the tournament, due to the COVID-19 mass infection, there was no choice but to make the entry with a total of 17 players.
South Korea strongly pressured Vietnam from the beginning. And he took the lead early in the game, giving the game an advantage.
In the 4th minute of the first half, Ji So-yeon received a pass from Choi Yu-ri (Hyundai Steel) and shook Vietnam’s goal with a right-footed shot.
Three minutes later, Vietnam DF Tran Thi Phuong Thao, who was about to handle Choi Yuri’s cross, added an own goal, and Korea Rep. finished 2-0 in the first half.
Korea suffered the bad luck of hitting the post twice in the 18th and 30th minutes of the second half. With the save of the opposing goalkeeper, it was hard to score an extra goal.
As the frustrating match continued, Ji So-yeon added another goal from a penalty kick.
South Korea won a penalty kick in the 36th minute of the second half when Seulgi Jang’s cross was hit by Vietnamese defender Truong Thi Quieu. And Ji So-yeon stepped forward as the kicker and scored a wedge in the left corner.
After defeating Vietnam, Korea will play the second leg of Group C against Myanmar at the same place on the 24th.
/Reporter Daesung Song (snowball@inews24.com)
