The EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2017 Round 2 HONG KONG Women’s tournament continued on Friday with Hong Kong falling 0-14 to Korea Republic in the first match of the day at the Hong Kong Football Club.

Despite early pressure from the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup participants, the hosts lasted 11 minutes without conceding before LEE Geummin lobbed the ball over goalkeeper NG Cheuk Wai to make it 1-0.

In the 19th minute, LEE Youngju delivered a stunner from distance to double the lead. The gap soon grew to 3-0 when Hong Kong defender KWOK Ching Man was called for a handball in the penalty area, with LEE Min A converting from the spot.

Five minutes later it was LEE Hyun Young’s from close range turn as NG was blocked by fallen teammate CHAN Wing Sze from covering the second effort.

Korea Republic’s last goal of the half came in the 35th minute, when LEE Min A’s long shot was deflected by Hong Kong defender WONG So Han into the net.

Hong Kong came out of the halftime locker room recomposed, stymying the Korea Republic attack and forcing them to shift the ball from side to side around the edge of the final third.

That resistance broke down in the 54th minute when LEE Hyung Young scored her second of the day, and just two minutes later it was LEE Youngju with a second stunning goal from distance to make it 7-0.

CHOE Yuri opened her tournament account in the 61st minute after pouncing on a loose ball in front of the goal, and CHEUNG Wai Ki kicked the ball into her own net on a corner kick in the 66th minute to record Hong Kong’s second own goal.

Korea Republic continued to pressure despite the 9-0 lead, with KWON Eunsom scoring from her own second effort in the 69th minute.

LEE Geummin earned her second of the day from distance in the 70th minute, and two minutes later sealed the hat trick with a clever spin around defender CHAN in front of the Hong Kong goal.

JANG Selgi lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper to make it 13-0 in the 75th minute and LEE Sodam wrapped it up for coach YOON Duk Yeo’s side in the 84th, giving them an astonishing +27 goal difference heading into Monday’s climax against Chinese Taipei.

By Cesare Polenghi (twitter)