An outclassed Vietnam women's football team went down five-nil to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the Group ‘C' opener at the 17th Asian Games on September 16.
The DPRK team went on an all-out attack at the sound of the opening whistle. It took only five minutes for Ho Un-Byol to out-muscle the Vietnamese defence and place the ball in front of Kim Yun-Mi, who beat the Vietnamese goalkeeper to put the DPRK in the lead.
After the opening goal, DPRK continued the onslaught, reducing Vietnam to its own half before doubling the advantage at 10 minutes with a header off a cross from the right wing.
By the 21st minute the lead was firmly cemented at 3-0 when Kim Un-Ju successfully converted a penalty. The score might have been 4-0 in the 26th minute if not for goalkeeper Trinh's save against Jong Yu-Ri's penalty shot.
After some missed chances, Kim Nam-Hui of the DPRK burst past Nguyen Ngoc Anh to find a lurking Jong whose one-toucher found the back of the net for a 4-0 lead minutes before the half.
Vietnam improved their game in the second half but the effort was only enough to stave off any more DPRK goals. Vietnam never pose a real threat to goalkeeper Hong Myung-Hui.
Six minutes from regulation time, Jong drew a foul to make up for her failed penalty in the first half. She put an extra nail in the coffin, extending the lead to 5-0.
The loss at Namdong Asiad Rugby Field in Incheon, the Republic of Korea (RoK), forces Vietnam to beat Hong Kong on September 23 so that it can advance to the second round.
Vietnam women's team ranks seventh in Asia. Expectations are high against Hong Kong, which sits seven rungs below at 14th place.
DPRK, ranked third in Asia, now sits on top of the three-team group. The DPRK team will play Hong Kong on September 20, a likely win that will secure them a place in the knockout round.-VNA
