People’s Republic of Korea 3 Uzbekistan 0
Just take it at face value – this was a 1pm kick-off on a weekday out in Parramatta, this was not Colombia in the Women’s World Cup, it was two unknown entities, unknown for vastly different reasons. A crowd that could not have been any more than 500 enjoyed the full pre-game spectacular of colour and noise, but could hear everything that was being said from the players and staff in a distinctly NPL atmosphere. The Korean players were vocal, giving us a big shout following their national anthem and then again their huddle, the sound echoing around the deserted Commbank stadium.
The Uzbek team, clad in pristine white, looked relaxed and confident early in the game, not scared to rake passes across the field and showing good touches, but the all-red Koreans had purpose, and had a plan to get the ball out to their wings. When Chae Un Yong created space for a cross from the right, the defence cleared only to Myong Yu Jong who rifled a shot in for the opening goal. The crowd had grown, a handful of school groups in full uniform swelling the sparse numbers. Hong Song Ok’s corner from the other side was then returned into the box, Uzbekistan goalkeeper Jonimqulova Maftuna falling awkwardly against her defender and the game was halted for a lengthy period. The unfortunate Jonimqulova was eventually stretchered off in a neck brace, a worrying sight for everyone.
Korea continued to threaten, Uzbekistan defended desperately and effectively. A-League referee Casey Reibelt let the game flow as much as possible, but she was quick with the whistle when Cae Un Yong was pushed and tripped from behind for a penalty, Myong Yu Jong smashing the spot kick home past replacement stopper Zarina Saidova after a justified VAR check. Two goals already for Korea, this didn’t bode well for the unfancied Uzbeks and with Saidova’s distribution and handling under the spotlight, this could get ugly. To their credit, with a little but of luck and some fierce hassling, they managed to stem the flow. The booming ‘boooo’ from the stands as play was halted for the third time for an Uzbek injury suggested the impatience of the casual football fan who was sitting bemused in amongst the empty grey seats.
A handball shout from the Koreans was somehow waved away by the referee, giving the benefit of the doubt to the defence, but VAR intervened and it was a definite spot kick, the arm up high and in no way a natural position. Up stepped Myong Yu Jong for a second time to drill the ball home for 3-0. The pocket of North Korean flags jigged, the school groups shrieked, the Uzbek physios were on again to deal with Ilvina Ablyakimova’s blow to the face. It should have been four when Ri Myong Gum curled wide after wrong-footing the defence; the groan at the ten minutes of added time was unjustified, but the disbelief of two-goal Myong Yu Jong at receiving a yellow card for an elbow was not. Not so the yellow card for Dilrabo Asadova who sliced down her Korean player from behind. There was a most unusual sight of a double substitution a moment before the half-time whistle as Korea shuffled their pack, sacrificing their penalty queen Myong Yu Jong to deny her a second-half hat-trick.
An absorbing first half, littered with injuries to the Uzbekistan team, had given us some sharp technical football from North Korea, while their opponents at least gave us entertainment with some South American-style dribbling and a couple of nutmegs to wow the fans. Tough to foresee anything other than a convincing Korean victory in the second half, prayers were sent to the footballing gods for an exciting second forty-five minutes. The explanation of VAR on the big screen at the break was excellent, something that should be played at every A-League game as a reminder. The Korea players were out early, warming up sharply on the sideline, while the Uzbekistan players filed out slowly as if contemplating their fate. The end of the half-time music brought us back to the silence.
The excellent Chae Un Yong won an early corner and Uzbekistan were tested. Saidova was fortunate to get a second go at catching a misplaced punch, and the rampant reds were forcing fouls from their hardworking and full-blooded opponents as they continued to fire in low balls into the penalty area. Lyudmila Karachik gave us a mazy run through the midfield to stem the flow, but when Madina Khikmatova upended Hong Song Ok in full flight, another yellow card was awarded. Another unusual moment followed when the referee was forced to spray a line one metre in front of the defensive wall to make sure the Korean players were not interfering with the wall – good thinking! Korea were shooting from range, but they were low-percentage shots, Ri Myong Gum finally getting a clear sight but drilling the ball straight at Saidova.
Zarina Mamatkarimova went down after winning a free kick, referee Reibelt showing no sympathy and urging her to her feet. When she went down again away from play a minute later there was no option and we had yet another stoppage in play. It was time to shut up shop, the tackles were unsophisticated and duly punished, but the score remained at 3-0. A bizarre free kick routine saw two North Korean players stand like statues for an eternity, the referee showing a lot of patience, before a shot was rifled straight at Saidova.
Where the first half had provided footballing entertainment despite the stoppages, the second half matched the attendance, a hopeful 1,268 who stared on emotionlessly as the Uzbek defence continued their aimless clearances and their players dropped to the ground to waste time. It wasn’t until the 80th minute that Ri Myong Gum and Ri Song A combined to wake up the crowd, the shot whistling over from close range. A mix-up in defence allowed Chae Un Yong to fire in a shot on the unguarded goal but it was high and handsome. Uzbekistan left a player upfield late in the game, Kamila Zaripova completely free, but her control let her down. Ri Hak escaped a yellow card when she dived stepping inside to evade a clumsy Uzbek challenge, and the six additional minutes gave us very little to rescue the second half, the referee blowing for full-time as Korea squandered a headed chance at the Red and Black Bloc end.
The post-match scenes were orderly, the remaining players shaking hands in the centre circle with the referee team, before North Korea’s squad raced over to their small band of fans to thank them for their support. The smattering of Uzbekistan fans were already right behind the substitutes bench and the players waved to them. Five minutes later, the volume was turned down on the music, ten minutes after that there was nothing but silence.
This had been a tough mission for Uzbekistan, but they will cling to the hope of progressing to the next stage as one of the best third-placed teams in Group B; they will be watching on with interest the second game this evening, hoping that China can demolish Bangladesh to give them hope. Stand by for more Women’s Asian Cup action as we continue to see teams for the first time in the tournament; we’re here to bring you the action so you don’t have to watch it!
I was hoping the DPRK and China were going to play on the Coast but sadly not to be