Doha Asian Games: DPR Korea win women’s title

DPR Korea had to work overtime to defeat a stubborn Japanese side 4–2 on penalties, after the match finished    0–0, and win their second consecutive Asian Games gold medal in the women’s football competition on Wednesday.

Goalkeeper Jon Myong Hui was the heroine for DPR Korea, saving two penalties in the tense shoot-out and ending Japan’s dreams of winning the gold.

Jon saved Japan’s first two spot kicks from Homare Sawa and Kozue Ando while all the DPR Koreans were on the mark, with Jong Pok Sim stepping up to slot home the winning strike.

“Today’s match gave me the best feeling ever,” said forward Ri Kum-suk. “This is better than when DPR Korea won the Asian Women’s Championship in 2001 [Ri scored a goal in the final match of that tournament against Japan].”

Meanwhile, Japan coach Hiroshi Ohashi said, “Despite losing we still came second. Our problem was we don’t have a team that could win in the 90 or 120 minute time frame. I feel responsible for not creating a team that could win in this time frame.

Physically, Japan in terms of athlete size are smaller than China and DPR Korea, so we had to put more effort into defence. We were attacked frequently, but still held them off, so I think this worked quite well.”

Meanwhile, China beat Korea Republic 2–0 to take the bronze medal. A double by Wang Kun in the 40th and 60th minutes clinched victory for the Chinese.