Description
Korea defeats Bahrain 2-0 in round of 16 Oct. 1, quarterfinalsKang Kook-chul and Kim Kook-beom score to face the winner of Japan and Myanmar
The North Korean men's national soccer team has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.
The DPRK defeated Bahrain 2-0 in the men's soccer round of 16 at the East Stadium of Zhejiang Normal University in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China, on Sunday (Sept. 27).
It was North Korea's sixth consecutive quarterfinal appearance at the Asian Games. It reached the quarterfinals in Busan in 2002, Doha in 2006 and Guangzhou in 2010. They were runners-up in Incheon in 2014 and reached the quarterfinals in Jakarta and Palembang in 2018.
North Korea will try to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in its history next month when it meets Japan in the quarterfinals on Nov. 1. They will face the winner of the Japan-Myanmar match on Aug. 28.
North Korea, which advanced to the round of 16 after topping Group F, tried to press the Bahrainis, who finished second in Group E, from the start.
While the North Koreans focused on attacking, Bahrain tried to counterattack. Bahrain had a one-on-one opportunity with the North Korean goalkeeper in the 16th minute, but the goal was called back for offside.
North Korea was unable to capitalize. In the 24th minute, Kim Bum-hyok attempted a mid-range shot that went wide. In the 27th minute, Paek Cheong-sung's mid-range shot was also caught by the opposing goalkeeper.
North Korea rattled the net in the 36th minute, but the goal was disallowed. Captain Jang Kuk-chol leapt high to score a header on a free kick, but the goal was disallowed.
North Korea took the lead just before halftime. In the first minute of first-half stoppage time, Kim Kyong-seok sent a cross into the box, where Kang Kook-chol rushed in and headed it home.
After starting the second half with a 1-0 lead, North Korea made it 2-0 in the 17th minute. Kim Kuk-bum hit a bold left-footed mid-range shot from outside the penalty box. The ball hit the crossbar, bounced off the ground, and into the goal.
A scramble ensued, but no further goals were scored. The game ended with a 2-0 victory for North Korea. 스포츠토토맨