April 13 – China shattered South Korea’s dream of a first Women’s Olympic tournament winning the final AFC spot at Tokyo 2020 with a 4-3 aggregate win in a nerve jangling second leg play-off in Suzhou, China.
The Chinese had taken a 2-1 lead into their home leg and were favourites to claim a third successive Olympic finals. But the Korean women were looking to write a very different script.
The Koreans came out all cylinders firing and overturned the deficit by half time with a volleyed strike from Kang Chae-rim on 31 minutes and an own goal from Li Mengwen just before the break.
Korean hopes were high and at 3-2 on aggregate they were in front for the first time in the tie. China made a half time change bringing on Yang Man, who on 69 minutes levelled the tie getting a touch on a fee kick by China’s standout Wang Shuang.
Wang had missed the early qualifying rounds of China’s campaign, having been forced to isolate in China back in March when the pandemic hit just as the Chinese team were arriving in Australia.
But her return to the team for the play-offs has been decisive. With the tie levelled at 3-3 and into extra time, Wang fired into the bottom left corner from 20m to secure the Olympic spot of China and heartbreak for the impressive Koreans.
It was a fittingly excitement-filled battle to showcase the women’s game on the day that the AFC’s women’s strategy group were meeting to plan the future development of the women’s game in Asia.
AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa congratulated China on their qualification, pointing out that the staging of the play-off, a full year after it had originally been scheduled, was not without challenges.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been our toughest challenge in modern history and credit must go to the players, the team officials and everyone behind the scenes for keeping their concentration and discipline,” said Salman.
“We must also praise the Chinese Football Association and the Korea Football Association for their determination and perseverance, and for ensuring a secure environment for the two matches in Suzhou and Goyang City. Their success adds to our optimism and confidence that Asian football is not just ready to return back to action but can do so safely.
“Women’s football in Asia is undoubtedly world-class, which was once again showcased in the qualifiers, and I am confident Australia, alongside hosts Japan and China PR will showcase their ability to stand proud amongst the world’s best.”
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