The Hindu : Sport / Football : Japan edges N. Korea for gold

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Tuesday, Nov 23, 2010
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Japan edges N. Korea for gold

GUANGZHOU: Japan beat two-time defending champion North Korea 1-0 on Monday to avenge its defeat four years ago to take the gold medal.

The winner came against the run of play in a tense game of few clear-cut chances, Japan's Azusa Iwashimizu heading in unchallenged from a corner on 74 minutes to score the winner.

The Japanese, who were roundly jeered whenever they came forward, were close on 22 minutes, striker Shinobu Ohno firing just wide, the ball nestling in the side-netting of North Korean keeper Hong Myong-Hui's goal.

But North Korea slowly warmed to its task and midfielder Ri Ye-Gyong saw her header well saved by Japanese keeper Nozomi Yamago in front of 23,000 people at the Tianhe Stadium.

The North Koreans, cheered on by a vocal band of about 150 fans wearing matching red jackets and caps, went even closer three minutes before the break, but Ra Un-Sim's lovely curling strike rattled the bar, with Yamago well beaten.

North Korea dominated much of the second-half, its superior strength leaving the Japanese wilting. A nervous-looking Yamago made a mess of a high ball on the hour, her fumble desperately scrambled out for a corner.

But just as North Korea looked to be getting closer, the Japanese sucker-punch came.

North Korea had a final chance in injury time, but Choe Yong-Sim's header from a corner flashed just wide.

North Korea won the 2006 gold medal match in Doha 4-2 on penalties against Japan and two teams drew 0-0 in earlier group play in Guangzhou.

Earlier on Monday, two first-half strikes helped South Korea beat China 2-0 and win the bronze. — AFP

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