Korean women's hockey team reaches Asiad semifinals

The Korean women’s hockey team beat Malaysia 5-0 in their last pool stage game at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Tuesday, reaching the semifinals as Pool A runners-up.

Tuesday’s game at Gongshu Canal Park Stadium in Hangzhou, China was crucial for both sides, as the winner would advance to the knockout stage.

In Asian Games women’s hockey, only two teams from two groups of five reach the semifinals. Korea was in second place in Pool A and Malaysia was in third before Tuesday’s game.

Had Malaysia beat Korea, the standings would have changed and Malaysia would have reached the semifinal.

Korea opened the scoring with Cho Eun-ji’s goal from a penalty corner in the first quarter. An Su-jin then extended the lead in the second quarter, ending it at 2-0.

Seo Jung-eun and An scored one goal apiece in the third quarter, while giving Malaysia no room to put even one back.

Lee Yu-ru’s goal in the fourth quarter sealed Korea’s perfect 5-0 victory.

The win allowed Korea to retain their position in Pool A and sent them through the semifinals. Korea managed three wins and one draw in the Pool A, with India reaching the knockout stage as group winners.

India also recorded three wins and one draw, but edged out Korea by a greater goal difference — the next deciding factor when teams are tied on points and have the same amount of games won.

The Korean women’s team’s opponent in the semifinal is yet to be decided as of press time Tuesday. The semifinal will take place on Thursday.

The Korean men’s team is also in the semifinal, where they will face India on Wednesday.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]