North Korea, which defeated Colin Belhoeven with bullying football to reach the final, is in a tight battle with Japan.
North Korea finished the first half of the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games women's football final 1-1 against Japan at the Huanglong Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on Saturday (June 6).
The North Koreans dominated possession and set the tone for the rest of the match.
After defeating Bell's South Korea Women's National Team with their rough and tumble style of play, the North Koreans are poised to be crowned Asia's top team after a devastating run to the final that brought Japan to its knees.
North Korea lined up in a 4-3-3. Kim Eun-hee started in goal.
Ri Myong-geum, Ri Geum-hyang, Wee Jung-sim, and Ri Hye-kyong were in the back four.
In the midfield, Myong Yoo-jung, Choi Geum-ok, and Ri Hak combined, while Ahn Myong-song, Hong Song-ok, and Kim Kyung-ok were the front three.
Japan lined up in a 3-5-2 with a deep midfield. Natsumi Asano was in goal, while Shinomi Koyama, Wakaba Goto, and Toko Koga were in charge of the defense.
Reina Wakisaka, Yuzuho Shiokoshi, Yoshino Nakashima, Momoko Tanikawa, and Suzu Amano formed the back line.
Yuzuki Yamamoto and Remina Chiba were the front two, looking to score goals.
Japan took the lead in the 10th minute of the first half as North Korea pushed forward.
A one-timed pass from the midfield to Nakashima caught the North Korean defense completely off guard.
With a one-on-one opportunity, Nakashima flicked the ball into an empty net as the goalkeeper leapt out of the way.
As soon as the goal was conceded, North Korea's thug soccer emerged. Whenever a Japanese player got the ball, they didn't hesitate to make a two-footed tackle. 카지노사이트777
However, Japan was never in a dangerous situation as they took the pressure off North Korea with simple, fast-paced passing.
North Korea had the misfortune of losing a player to injury on the counterattack. Ahn Myong Song was stretchered off after being brought down by a Japanese defensive tackle.
It was a clean, legitimate tackle that wasn't even called for a foul, but he suffered a serious injury and had to be replaced by Sung-Sim.
North Korea continued to push forward.
In the 22nd minute, they attacked from a corner kick and even got a shot off, but it went wide of the goal.
In the 26th minute, Tae Sung-sim had a one-on-one opportunity with the keeper, but a Japanese defender made a great tackle to cut him off before he could shoot.
A fierce offensive battle ensued. Both teams were attacking from the flanks.
North Korea succeeded in advancing in front of the goal, but the lack of finishing prevented them from adding to their lead.
After pounding Japan, North Korea finally managed to equalize.
The flanking attack worked. In the 38th minute, North Korea broke down the left flank, and a cutback pass from Woo Jeong-sim found Kim Yong-yong waiting in the center, who slid it in with his left foot for the equalizer.
With no goals in the extra time, the first half ended 1-1.