An outclassed Vietnam women's football team went down 5-0 to North Korea in the Group C opener at the 17th Asian Games on Tuesday.
Tt took only five minutes into the game for Ho Un-Byol to out-muscle the Vietnamese defence and place the ball in front of Kim Yun-Mi, who beat the Vietnamese goalkeeper to put North Korea in the lead.
After the opening goal, all-out-attack North Korea continued the onslaught, reducing Vietnam to its own half before doubling the advantage on 10 minutes with a header off a cross from the right wing.
By the 21st minute the lead was firmly cemented at 3-0 when Kim Un-Ju successfully converted a penalty. The score might have been 4-0 in the 26th minute if not for goalkeeper Trinh's save against Jong Yu-Ri's penalty shot.
After some missed chances, Kim Nam-Hui of North Korea burst past Nguyen Ngoc Anh to find a lurking Jong whose one-toucher found the back of the net for a 4-0 lead minutes before the half.
Vietnam improved their game in the second half but the effort was only enough to stave off any more North Korea goals. Vietnam never pose a real threat to goalkeeper Hong Myung-Hui.
Six minutes from regulation time, Jong drew a foul to make up for her failed penalty in the first half. She put an extra nail in the coffin, extending the lead to 5-0.
The loss at Namdong Asiad Rugby Field in Incheon, the Republic of Korea (RoK), forces Vietnam to beat Hong Kong on September 23 to be able to advance to the second round.
Vietnam women's team ranks seventh in Asia. Expectations are high against Hong Kong, which sits seven rungs below at 14th place.
North Korea, ranked third in Asia, now sits on top of the three-team group. It will play Hong Kong on September 20, a likely win that will secure them a place in the knockout round.
