South Korea battered Taiwan 4-0 yesterday in the women’s four-team East Asian championship.
The scoring began in the 27th minute when skipper Kim Yoo-mi sent a cross toward goal that Taiwan’s defenders failed to clear from the box. Midfielder Jeon Ga-eul hit a right-foot shot that bounced past Taiwan goalkeeper Huang Feng-chiu and into the net.
A minute later, midfielder Lee Jang-mi headed in a Park Hee-young free-kick from the right side of the box to make it 2-0.
PHOTO: AFP
Taiwan’s decisive opportunity arrived in the 37th minute, when striker Tan Wen-li received a sharp Tseng Shu-o pass and breached the South Korean defense, only to see her shot hit the side netting.
Lee scored from a spot-kick moments before the break after Huang pulled down South Korea midfielder Kim Joo-hee.
Substitute striker Yoo Young-a made the scoreline 4-0 in the 73rd minute, when she pocked in a lob from defender Hong Kyung-suk that flew above the Taiwanese defenders.
South Korea, winners of the 2005 championship, stayed dominant throughout, but it was an anxious match for coach Lee Sang-yup, with several of his players suffering injuries and illness.
“We have many injuries and the way the game went showed that,” he said.
Several South Korean players were suffering from colds, influenza and general fatigue after a training camp in California, he said.
“Coordination among the players did not go well. It is a worrying factor,” he said.
Taiwan coach Chou Tai-ying said her side also had difficulty preparing because the team was unexpectedly called in to replace North Korea, who qualified but declined to take part in the tournament.
Japan and China also feature in the tournament.
Later in the men’s championship, holders South Korea thrashed Hong Kong 5-0 in their opening game.
Captain Kim Jung-woo headed South Korea in front in the 10th minute, before goals from Koo Ja-cheol, Lee Dong-gook and a superb Lee Seung-yeoul strike made it 4-0 at halftime.
World Cup-bound South Korea showed less urgency after the break at a near-empty National Stadium and substitute No Byung-jun completed the rout with a tap-in in stoppage-time.
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