Korea DPR too strong for Colombia

Kim Song-Hui scored both goals as Korea DPR moved alongside USA at the top of Group G with a thoroughly deserved 2-0 win over Colombia at Hampden Park. The match was delayed for more than hour after the Republic of Korea flag was mistakenly shown on the big screens instead of that of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, an error for which LOCOG apologised to the North Koreans. However, the delay didn’t seem to faze the Asian side, who dominated from the first whistle, outmuscling their less physically imposing Colombian opponents. Korea DPR might have taken the lead inside six minutes, in fact, with captain Kim Chung-Sim heading just wide of the left-hand post after rising to meet Kim Song-Hui’s deep cross from the left. Choe Un-Ju also went close following a short corner that caught out the Colombian defence, firing in a ferocious angled drive that Sandra Sepulveda did well to tip behind for a corner. The opening goal did arrive six minutes before the interval, however, although it is unlikely to feature in any goal of the tournament compilations. Colombia’s undoing was in failing to deal with a deep cross from Choe Un-Ju, with their panicked attempts to clear resulting in the ball rebounding against the shins of Kim Song-Hui and sliding beyond Sepulveda. The best Colombia could muster, meanwhile, was a couple of long-range efforts from Maria Usme either side of half-time, both of which sailed harmlessly over the crossbar. At the other end, goalscorer Kim missed a couple of glaring opportunities to double her tally, the best of which saw her slide the ball wide from Yun’s intelligent through ball. The North Korean No16 would not be denied though and finally claimed her second goal with four minutes remaining. Sepulveda was culpable in spilling a routine cross, and the despairing attempts to clear of Tatiana Ariza could not prevent Kim’s chipped shot crossing the line. FIFA