February 7 – China stunned South Korea to come back from two goals down at half time to win the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 3-2 in a classic final in Mumbai yesterday.
South Korea were playing in their first ever Asian Cup final while the Chinese were looking to win their ninth title. It took them until deep into added time to achieve it.
China opened the game the stronger of the two sides but on the 27h minute and with pretty much their first real attempt on the Chinese goal, Lee Geum-min broke into the box before sending a cross to Choe Yu-Ri to score.
With the Koreans starting to see more of the ball they were rewarded in the closing stages of the first half when a VAR review saw them awarded a penalty for Yao Lingwei’s handball. Ji So-yun converted from the spot.
South Korea went in at half time two up and looked to have the game under control.
China made two changes at half time but it wasn’t until the 68th minute that they forced their way back into the game when they were awarded a penalty for Lee Young-ju’s handball. Tang Jiali scored from the spot.
China were level four minutes after some poor defending by South Korea. Tang beat two Korea Republic defenders before crossing into the six-yard-box for an unmarked Zhang Linyan to head home.
With the match in the balance South Korea were kept out by a brilliant save by Chinese keeper Zhou Yu and a block by defender Wang Xiaoxue before Xiao Yuyi finished off Wang Shanshan’s ball through to win the title.
China head coach Shui Qingxia said: “This is the most critical moment for China PR women’s football. Despite trailing 2-0 my players showed determination to fight back. I like to thank all the players for winning the title but they also won it for themselves.”
South Korean Colin Bell told theafc.com: “”I’m proud of the players, I told them that after the match. We need to keep improving and not let this defeat diminish our spirit. We’re bitterly disappointed. We need to be stronger mentally. The penalty against us, took our concentration away.”
AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “The AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 marked another successful celebration of women’s football on the Continent. Fans from around the world watched Asia’s leading teams in action that culminated with China PR being crowned as champions.
“In every edition, new stars have emerged from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ and teams continue to set new milestones as we’ve witnessed in the Final as well as the Philippines’ and Vietnam’s historic qualifications to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, a feat that will certainly be celebrated widely in their countries,” he continued.
“Asia’s women’s national teams are already among the best in world football and it is through the enduring legacy of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ that we can continue to inspire the next generation of women footballers.
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