North Korean women’s soccer team coach Ri Yu-il Tokyo = Correspondent Lee Sang-hoon sanghun@donga.com
The North Korean women’s soccer team lost 1-2 to Japan in the second round of the 2024 Paris Olympics women’s soccer Asian final qualifier held at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan on the 28th and missed out on a ticket to Paris.
In the 36th minute of the second half, when North Korea was down 0-2, Kim Hye-young scored a goal to make up for the loss, but was blocked by Japan’s defense and failed to score an additional goal, losing to Japan. North Korea failed to advance to the Olympics with 1 draw and 1 loss in the final preliminary round, including a 0-0 draw in the first game against Japan held in Saudi Arabia on the 24th.
After the game, North Korean team coach Ri Yu-il refused to answer questions from South Korean reporters about the loss at a press conference.
When asked about the loss in the game and what he thinks needs to be improved in the future, Coach Lee said, “Everyone over there, this is a very sensitive issue that has touched our nerves since the last time. “I won’t take questions from that person,” he said.
The “last time” that Coach Lee mentioned seems to refer to the pre-press conference on the 27th, the day before the game. At the time, when a South Korean reporter used the term ‘North Korea,’ Coach Lee said, “This is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea team, so if you don’t say the country’s name correctly, you won’t be asked questions.”
Koreans living in Japan, affiliated with the General Association of Koreans in Japan (Chongryon), are waving the North Korean flag and cheering for the North Korean team in the Asian final qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics held at the Tokyo National Stadium on the 28th. Tokyo = Correspondent Lee Sang-hoon sanghun@donga.com
At the game on this day, about 3,000 Koreans in Japan affiliated with the General Association of Koreans in Japan (Chongryon) chanted “Chosun, a sure winner” from the stands behind the North Korean team’s goal, cheering so loudly that it was reminiscent of a home game. With 20,777 spectators in attendance, Korean residents in Japan affiliated with Chongryon wore red T-shirts and waved large North Korean flags. A large banner was also hung in front of the cheering squad that read “Win, Joseon” and “Let’s show off the glory of the Republic.”
Coach Lee was unable to continue speaking as he shed tears when asked by a reporter from Chongryon newspaper Chosun Shinbo, who said, “There was enthusiastic support from our compatriots.” After wiping away his tears, he said, “I am sorry for not being able to show a good side to our compatriots who supported us,” and added, “We will work harder to show a better side of ourselves in the future.”
Tokyo = Correspondent Lee Sang-hoon sanghun@donga.com
2024-02-28 13:13:00
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