Overcoming the 'No-Medal Humiliation' Against China: Korea's Women's Football Team Delivers! 'Fourth Bronze Medal in History'... Noh Jin-young Scores Decisive Goal in 'Just 4 Minutes' [Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games]

*This content was translated by AI.

It was a thrilling bronze medal. The Korean women's football team defeated the formidable China, inflicting upon them the unerasable humiliation of finishing without a medal.

The Republic of Korea women's national football team, led by head coach Shin Sang-woo, defeated China 1-0 in the women's football bronze medal match at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held at Shizuoka Stadium in Japan on the 2nd at 3 p.m.

With this victory, Korea secured its fourth bronze medal in Asian Games history, following the tournaments in Guangzhou 2010, Incheon 2014, and Jakarta-Palembang 2018, bringing the competition to a successful close. On the other hand, China, which had claimed to be the strongest in Asia, was blocked by Korea's defensive wall and suffered the humiliation of ultimately failing to win a medal.

On this day, Korea placed Son Hwa-yeon (Gangjin Swans) at the forefront, fielding Choi Yu-ri and Ji So-yeon (both Suwon FC Women), and Jung Min-young (Ottawa Rapid FC) in the second-line attack. The midfield was guarded by Kim Min-ji (Seoul City Hall) and Choo Hyeo-ju (Ottawa). The defensive line was formed by Jang Seul-gi (Gyeongju HanSuwon), Go Yu-jin (Incheon Hyundai Steel), captain Noh Jin-young (Gyeongju HanSuwon), and Kim Hye-ri. The goal was kept by Kim Kyung-hee (also Suwon FC).

The match tilted in Korea's favor from the very start. Just 4 minutes into the first half, the opening decisive goal was scored from a set piece. From a free-kick opportunity earned in the opponent's territory, central defender Noh Jin-young, who had joined the attack, calmly headed the high ball into the net to shake the goal.

Having taken the initiative, Korea dominated the match perfectly throughout the first half. Through organic passing play in the midfield centered on Ji So-yeon and Kim Min-ji, along with high pressing, they completely blocked China's build-up. Meanwhile, a flustered China was unable to mount any significant counterattack, being dragged helplessly without recording a single shot on target during the 45th minutes of the first half.

Entering the second half, China, desperate for an equalizer, increased their attacking numbers centered on Xiao Ziqin and Wang Shuang, launching a final wave of attacks. However, Korea did not back down. They disrupted the opponent's flow with rough and strong physical battles from the midfield, while the defensive line held by Go Yu-jin, Noh Jin-young, and Kim Hye-ri maintained focus until the end, shutting out China's offensive scoreless.

Ultimately, Korea's 1-0 victory was confirmed with the referee's final whistle.

In this tournament's group stage, the national team crushed Myanmar (5-0 win) and Bangladesh (8-0 win), then drew 1-1 with the formidable North Korea to advance to the quarterfinals as second in their group. After defeating Uzbekistan 6-3 in a high-scoring quarterfinal match, the team lost 0-2 to home team Japan in the semifinal on the 29th of last month, failing to reach the final. However, they closed the tournament brilliantly by securing a perfect victory over China in the final third-place match.

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*This content was translated by AI.