Park Mihyun finds her range as Red Panthers wilt in the sun
A game in which Korea’s top scorer Park Mihyun rediscovered her form was nearly overshadowed by a controversial start to the second half as the Belgium team were not on the pitch when the whistle blew. A race between the Korea forwards and the Belgium team saw all the field players race to the circle, followed a few seconds later by goalkeeper Aisling D’Hooghe. Fortunately for the Belgium side, Korea did not capitalise on that occasion. Less fortunate for Belgium was the fact that Korea’s inspirational forward Park Mihyun opened her World Cup scoring account with two goals, and two more goals from the excellent Cheon Eunbi saw Korea win 4-2 to take all three points.
A delighted Park Mihyun said after the game: “In the previous games I saw very little of the ball. Today I could get hold of it and play my game.” The forward added that she felt that Korea’s success was largely due to her team’s superior fitness in the second half. “We knew that the Belgium’s would tire in the second half, so we just had to be patient.”
Belgium started the brighter, with a penalty corner strike from Stephanie de Groof in the opening minutes forcing a good save from Jang Soo Ji. Barbara Nelen was also proving a handful to the Korea defence with her twisting runs up the pitch drawing fouls from the Korea defence. However, it was first blood to Korea as Cheon Eunbi (12′) received a pass from Kim Hyunji and shot past D’Hooghe to put her team ahead.
Despite their inexperience at this level, Belgium have shown throughout the tournament that they are not a side lacking in the will to fightback and so it proved again. Jill Boon scored to equalise just three minutes later, her first shot rebounded and she had no hesitation in firing the second chance home. De Groof nearly gave Belgium the lead just before half-time but her shot was saved by Cheon Eunbi off the line.
When the second half got underway, it was clear that Korea’s superior fitness was going to be a factor in the game. While Belgium were making some good attacking runs up the pitch, their stick skills and decision making were clearly deteriorating as the game went on.
Despite that factor, it was Belgium who took the lead through Alix Gerniers (40′). Boon was again involved in the move, picking up a loose ball and forcing Jang Soo Ji to make a save. Gerniers pounced on the rebound and fired home to make it 2-1. Korea came back into the game in the 48th minute as Park Mihyun picked up the ball just outside the circle and drove in to score the equaliser. The strikers delight was clear to see and it was Park (55′) again who scored to put her team ahead for the first time in the game.
The Korea team moved ahead when Cheon scored her second – a narrow angled shot that squeezed past D’Hooghe. The result will be particularly enjoyable for Cheon Seul Ki, who celebrated her 100th cap today.
Speaking after the game, Red Panthers young star Emma Puvrez said: “We lacked fitness in the second half and that let us down. The Korea side were stronger and more physical in the second half. We said before the game that we wanted to start well, and we did that. Now we have to put in a good performance consistently through the game.” Her captain, Charlotte de Vos added that the team would refocus in time for their game against Japan. “We feel that there will be opportunities for us in that game.”