Korea Republic women’s national team have been eliminated by Korea DPR in the quarter-finals of the Asian Games.

Colin Bell’s side lost 4-1 at the hands of Korea DPR in the quarter-final match staged at Wenzhou Sports Centre Stadium on Saturday.

Having won the bronze medal in the three previous editions of the Asian Games from Guangzhou 2010 to Jakarta-Palembang 2018, Korea Republic failed to reach the last four after losing to their neighbours on Saturday.

In these Asian Games finals, 16 participating teams have been divided into five groups of four teams: each group winners advance to the quarterfinals, with the three runners-up with best results joining the quintet in the second round. Korea Republic had reached the knockout phase by winning Group E after three consecutive wins over Myanmar, the Philippines and Hong Kong.

Bell opted for a 4-3-3 formation against Korea DPR: Son Hwayeon started as a lone striker flanked by Chun Garam and Choe Yuri; Jeon Eunha, Ji Soyun and Jang Selgi in midfield; Choo Hyojoo, Shim Seoyeon, Park Eunseon and Kim Hyeri at the back; and Kim Jungmi between the sticks.

Veteran forward Park Eunseon was deployed as a centre back as she was against Hong Kong, with Bell counting on her aerial prowess in defence as well as in set-piece situations to score from headers.

The bold move paid dividends after 11 minutes, when Kim Hyeri’s corner fell into a crowded goalmouth where Park forced a crucial mistake from Ri Hyegyong to miscue an attempted clearance into her own net.

But the lead did not last long, as Korea DPR restored parity from a free-kick eight minutes later: Ri Hak curled a sublime effort into the corner of the net to make it 1-1.

It was fair to say that the luck was not on Korea Republic’s side, as forward Son Hwayeon, who had been cautioned earlier in the first half, received her marching orders following a midair collision with the goalkeeper on 40 minutes.

Korea Republic switched to a defensive-minded 4-4-1 to deal with the numerical disadvantage, with central midfielder Jeon Eunha moving up front. Lee Eunyoung and Moon Mira then came off the bench to replace Chun Garam and Park Eunseon respectively midway through the second half.

However, it was not enough to keep their opponents at bay. An Myongsong latched onto a pass from Choe Kumok to put her side ahead on 81 minutes, before Ri Hak scored from an audacious effort on 90 minutes. Kim Kyongyong then made it 4-1 from the spot deep into added time, as Korea Republic’s quest for glory came to an abrupt end.

Asian Games Hangzhou 2022

Women's Quarter-finals

Korea Republic 1-4 Korea DPR

Goals: RI Hyegyong(11’, o.g.), RI Hak(19’, 90’), AN Myongsong(81’), KIM Kyongyong(90’+5)

Korea Republic  : KIM Jungmi(GK), CHOO Hyojoo, SJIM Seoyeon, PARK Eunseon(MOON Mira 77’), KIM Hyeri, JANG Selgi, JEON Eunha (MUN Eunju 86’), JI Soyun, CHUN Garam(LEE Eunyoung 73’), CHOE Yuri, SON Hwayeon