'Rolled the hopes of the quarterfinals' Women's goalball team wins its first group match against France, the host country

Sep 01, 2024

Courtesy of the Korean Sports Council for the Disabled

The Korean women's goal ball, which was on the verge of losing its first group match, finally won its first win and revived its possibility of advancing to the quarterfinals.

The Korean women's goalball team defeated the home team France 6-1 in the second lane of the women's Group B qualifying round at Sudfari Arena 6 in Paris, France, early on the 1st (Korea time). With one win and one loss in the group qualifying round, South Korea can advance to the quarterfinals if it adds one win to the remaining match against Canada. Currently in Group B, Japan has won two games to advance to the quarterfinals.

France scored the first goal in a match that began with enthusiastic cheering from the home crowd. Fran scored 38 seconds into the game. He then took a penalty chance. However, Shim Sun-hwa (Seoul Metropolitan Government) blocked France's shot to prevent additional runs. Shim Sun-hwa even scored an equalizer in the last minute. In the end, they finished the first half with a score of 1-1.

Courtesy of the Korean Sports Council for the Disabled

In the second half, Park Eun-ji (Chungcheongnam-do Sports Council for the Disabled), who was put in at the end of the first half, performed outstandingly. Park Eun-ji scored a come-from-behind goal 20 seconds into the second half to give hope to the Korean cheering squad among the French crowd. He then alternated with Shim Seon-hwa to make it 4-1 after hunting for additional goals. Shim Seon-hwa, who gained confidence, scored two more goals to virtually confirm the victory.

Courtesy of the Korean Sports Council for the Disabled

On this day, a hot cheering match was held in the stands to cheer up the players on the court. The crowd cheering for the home team France gave their players strength with stomping and singing. It was an overwhelming number.

In the meantime, however, the Korean audience did not lose and raised their voices. The stadium was filled with French pop songs and K-pop. However, the final laughing side was the minority Korean audience.

Paris (France) = Reporter Lee Won-man wman@sportschosun.com

wman@sportschosun.com