[Asian Games] Women's Soccer with One Player Sent Off, Loses 1-4 in 8th Finals South-North Korea Match

Failed to Overcome Numerical Disadvantage Amid Controversial Decision
Missed AG Semifinals for the First Time in 25 Years

The women's national soccer team ended their challenge in the quarterfinals of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games after losing the inter-Korean match. They could not overcome the numerical disadvantage after one player was sent off due to a questionable referee decision.

On the 30th, at the Wenzhou Sports Center Stadium in China, during the women's football quarterfinal match between South Korea and North Korea at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, players from both sides engaged in a tense confrontation.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Led by coach Colin Bell, the women's national soccer team suffered a 1-4 comeback defeat to North Korea in the quarterfinals held on the 30th at the Wenzhou Sports Center Stadium in Zhejiang Province, China. This marks the first time in 25 years since the 1998 Bangkok Games that South Korean women's soccer has failed to reach the Asian Games semifinals.

The team took the lead early with an own goal by the opponent from a corner kick situation just 11 minutes into the first half, but 9 minutes later, North Korea's Ri Hak scored a free-kick equalizer, bringing the game back to even.

Later, in the 41st minute of the first half, Son Hwayeon collided with the opposing goalkeeper while contesting an aerial ball inside North Korea's penalty area. The referee called a foul against our player and showed a yellow card. Having already received a warning earlier in the first half, Son Hwayeon was sent off and left the field. Although our player had touched the ball first with her head, which could have been considered a foul by the opposing goalkeeper, it was difficult to overturn the decision already made due to the absence of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in this tournament's regulations.

The team held up well despite being one player down until the middle of the second half but ultimately could not overcome the final hurdle. In the 36th minute of the second half, North Korea's An Myongsong scored an additional goal amid a scramble in front of the goal, and in the 45th minute and stoppage time, consecutive goals were conceded from a long-range shot and a penalty kick, respectively, breaking the team's will to chase the game.