Korea Rep., 21st-ranked in the FIFA world rankings, faced 17th-ranked China PR in the E-1 Football Championship. China PR struck first in the 15th minute when midfielder Yao Wei fired a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box after Korea Rep. failed to clear the ball. The hosts answered just before halftime. Jang Sel-gi rushed into the penalty area and blasted a loose ball into the net with her left foot, leveling the score and rewarding Korea Rep.’s strong first-half play.
The thrilling contest continued after the break. In the 67th minute, China PR reclaimed the lead from a corner kick sequence. After a series of headers inside the box, Shao Ziqin finished the move with a header of her own. Determined to fight back, Korea Rep. brought on Choo Hyo-joo and Casey Yujin Phair to push for an equalizer. In stoppage time, Korean star Ji So-yun delivered a moment of magic. From outside the penalty area, she struck a beautiful long-range shot into the net, making it 2-2 in the dying seconds. The fierce clash ended in a draw, setting an exciting tone for the rest of the E-1 Football Championship.