News & TVWomen's A
Taegeuk Nangja down 2-1 against reigning champions Japan
19. Jul. 2022 17:57:07 394
Korea Republic women’s national team suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of hosts Japan in their E-1 Championship opener.
Colin Bell’s side lost 2-1 against defending champions Japan in opening match of the EAFF E-1 Championship at Kashima Stadium in Ibaraki, Japan on Tuesday. Miyazawa Hinata opened the scoring for the hosts after 33 minutes, before Ji Soyun restored parity shortly before the hour mark. But six minutes later, Nagano Fuka scored what turned out to be the winning goal of the game.
Bell opted for the 3-4-1-2 formation that worked well against Canada last month, making only two changes to the side that claimed a goalless draw with the Olympic champions: Veteran goalkeeper Kim Jungmi returned to replace Yoon Younggeul between the sticks; Shim Seoyeon, Lim Seonjoo and Kim Hyeri at the back; Cho Sohyun and Lee Youngju in central midfield, flanked by Jang Selgi and Choo Hyojoo; Ji Soyun pulled the strings just behind strike partners Son Hwayeon and Choe Yuri, with the latter starting in place of Lee Geummin.
The first half was completely a different game from those we had witness between the sides. If Japan used to take control in most of the previous encounters, it was the visitors that dictated the play and changed the flow of the game. Korea Republic surged forward right from the off to cause all sorts of problems for the Japanese, who struggled to move forward over the half line inside the first ten minutes. Against the run of play, however, the hosts managed to make their first attempt on goal, Hayashi Honoka trying her luck with a low shot from distance that Kim did well to parry away on 12 minutes.
The women in red kept up the pressure midway through the first half but were unable to find a breakthrough against the stubborn Japanese rearguard. However, it was Japan that drew first blood on 33 minutes, capitalising on a defensive mix-up: Shim Seoyeon’s attempted clearance was deflected by a defender and then fell into the path of Narumiya Yui, who set up the first goal of the competition for Miyazawa.
Despite the early blow, Korea Republic soon regrouped to fight back and create some scoring chances. Ji led a counterattack on 36 minutes to put Choe through on goal, only for the pacey forward to drag her shot straight at Tanaka Momoko. On the stroke of half time, Choe connected with a cross from Jang to set up a glorious opportunity for Choo, who went just close to scoring an equaliser.
The visitors picked up where they had left off, as the second half got underway. On 59 minutes, Ji put her side on level terms with a clinical effort despite being surrounded by defenders inside the crowded area. However, the hosts restored their lead only six minutes later. Ueki Riko broke into the right to send a low cross for Nagano, and the former Incheon Hyundai Steel player made no mistake from close range.
Korea Republic immediately fought back again through Ji, whose powerful effort was denied by Tanaka. Bell then responded with attack-minded substitutions in midfield, bringing Kang Chaerim and Jeon Eunha on before giving veteran striker Park Eunseon her first international appearance in seven years.
Long balls were delivered into the area to capitalise on the aerial prowess of Park, who stood up front to connect the balls back to Ji and Cho. The latter went tantalisingly close to equalise, but her effort went just over the crossbar. Jang Yubeen, the youngest member of the squad, came off the bench as the visitors went all out on attack in the closing minutes, but it was too little, too last as the Nadeshiko held on for a narrow win.
2022 EAFF E-1 Championship(Kashima Stadium, Ibaraki, Japan / 19 July 2022)
Japan 2-1 Korea Republic
Scorers: Miyazawa Hinata 33’, Nagano Fuka 65’; Ji Soyun 59’
KOR: Kim Jungmi; Shim Seoyeon, Lim Seonjoo, Kim Hyeri; Jang Selgi, Cho Sohyun, Lee Youngju (Jeon Eunha 71’), Choo Hyojoo (Park Eunseon 77’); Ji Soyun; Son Hwayeon (Kang Chaerim 71’), Choe Yuri (Jang Yubeen 87’)
Cho Sohyun: “We’re playing to please the fans”
Taegeuk Nangja held to 1-1 draw by China
Women's A
Son Hwayeon pulls one back in 5-1 defeat against Por...
Women's A
Casey Phair fires Korea Republic into 2-1 victory ov...
Women's A
Stalemate with China PR not enough to qualify for Pa...
Women's A
Team Bell in pole position after goalless draw with ...
Women's A
Hat-tricks from Phair and Chun in Team Bell’s 10-1 v...