China win women's hockey gold
China benefitted from a disputed penalty-stroke goal to end South Korea's domination of Asian Games women's field hockey, winning 2-1 in the gold medal match on Friday.
China, winner of last month's Champions Trophy among the
world's top six teams, underscored their status as the title
favourites with goals from skipper Chen Zhao Xia and Fu Bao
Rong in the second half.
The Chinese win ended South Korea's streak that ran from
the 1986 gold medal in Seoul to the 1998 Games in Bangkok.
Ranked as Asia's top side during that period, South Korea
went on to win an Olympic silver medal. They slumped in the
rankings last year after several of their long-standing
national players retired.
Chen slammed in a penalty-corner in the 38th minute, but
Fu faltered in her 43rd minute attempt to put the penalty
flick into the goal.
Japanese umpire Chieko Akiyama, however, awarded the goal
by penalising goalkeeper Park Yong-sook for shuffling her
feet.
The goal was hotly debated by the South Korean players,
who said Fu's fumble had caused the goalkeeper to move, but
umpire Akiyama waved them away.
Trailing by two goals, South Korea fought back to reduce
the margin through Kim Seong-eun's flash strike in open-field
play.
South Korea poured on the pressure in the last 10 minutes
but couldn't get the equalizer.