North, South Korea Fight Out Draw In Asian Games Clash

North and South Korea drew 1-1 in the women’s football at the Asian Games on Monday in a niggly meeting between neighbours who are still technically at war.

Just over 2,000 fans watched the group match at the 50,000 capacity stadium in Shizuoka which staged matches when Japan co-hosted the 2002 World Cup with South Korea.

Among the sparse crowd was a group of North Korean fans wearing red t-shirts, some with the country’s flag painted on their faces.

Others held signs reading, “Let’s win for our country”.

North Korea, who have excelled at youth level in women’s football in recent years, took the lead in the first half from close range through Chae Un Yong.

South Korea levelled after the break when Yun Su-jeong finished smartly.

The two teams shared tepid high-fives at the end but did not exchange words.

South Korea had three players booked to the North’s one, and there were a total of 27 fouls during the contest.

The first was after less than 30 seconds.

The neighbours remain technically at war because the 1950-53 Korean war ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.

“It was the young players’ first time playing against DPR (North) Korea and they were nervous,” said South Korea coach Shin Sang-woo, whose side faces Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals.

Asked if he shook the hand of his opposite number, Pak Song Jin, Shin replied: “The leaders of (North Korea) made no handshakes. That was the practice for a long time.

“In this football game we just need to achieve results. The political situation does not matter.”

North Korea are also into the last eight.

Asked if playing their neighbours made for a special occasion, Pak said: “There’s nothing special. It’s just within the framework of football.”

AFP

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