In an electrifying opener of the EAFF Women's E-1 Football Championship, China's side clashed with hosts South Korea in a match full of twists and late drama. The contest kicked off with Yao Wei’s stunning long-range strike in the 15th minute, putting China ahead early on. However, South Korea ramped up the pressure and equalized in first-half stoppage time thanks to a well-timed goal from Jang Sel-gi.
The second half saw another surge from the Chinese team. In the 67th minute, Yao Wei once again shone by providing a precise header to Shao Ziqin, who nodded home to give China the lead. Yet, the drama wasn’t over – deep into stoppage time, South Korea’s Ji So-yun unleashed a remarkable long-range shot to secure a dramatic equalizer, sealing the match at 2-2. ⚽️🔥
Reflecting on the nail-biting encounter, Chinese head coach Ante Milicic remarked, "We expected a tough game between two decent teams in Asia, playing under difficult conditions. We're obviously disappointed to have conceded two goals, both in injury time of the first half and second half." He emphasized that the team's performance against the strong home crowd was a sign of progress, even as they identified areas to improve, particularly in holding onto leads.
Star player Wang Shuang added that the team's youth and growing chemistry will fuel their determination in upcoming matches. This epic opener not only excited fans but also set the stage for more high-stakes battles as both teams look ahead to the Asian Cup.
Reference(s):
China draw with South Korea in women's East Asian Cup opener
cgtn.com
