Late equaliser by China deprives South Korea from victory in Rabo FIH Champions Trophy
China made two late strikes to deprive South Korea of the opening victory in the Rabo bank Women’s FIH Champions Trophy, which is being played in Amstelveen, Netherlands from June 25 to July 2. The match ended in a draw at scores of 2-2.
The match started with an entire dominance by the South Koreans, who controlled the ball throughout the first half, maintained a great pressure on the Chinese women. South Korea really played a thrilling hockey with some great pace and a lot of enthusiasm,
but they remained unlucky to find the net even on a single occasion. China remained at the back-foot for most of the time in the first-half, despite the fact of having some chances of scoring.
However, Chinese defence line remained involved in business throughout the first half. They showed a lot of determination, while defending some of the thrilling attacks by the South Koreans who earned six penalty-corners in the first half, but remained goal-less
to the interval. The South Koreans also lacked finishing ability besides some great defending efforts by the Chinese. The first half finished goal-less for the two teams who could not succeed to open their account.
The second half was totally the other side of the coin, as compared to the first half because in the second half four goals were scored. Both teams looked much improved as compared to the first half. Korea showed a lot of improvement in their finishing by
making a double strike, while the Chinese also altered their strategy and looked more attacking in the later part of the game, unlike the first half.
But it was Korea who drew the blood first and scored in the 41st minute of the match, when Cheon Eun Bi made no mistake in guiding the ball towards the net. It took just eleven minutes for Korea to double their lead, when Kim Jong Hee offered
a final touch to a beautiful move developed by Kim Okju in the 52nd minute.
However, six minutes later, the Chinese won their first penalty-corner and converted it into their first goal in 58th minute. The scorer was Zhao Yudiao with a wonderful low drag flick. Just three minutes before the end of the play, China stunned
the Koreans by equalising the score again on a penalty-corner, but this time the scorer was Mao Weilin. The match concluded at 2-2.
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