It was the Championship’s two lowest-ranking teams that met in the last match of group C. Japan and Korea played a match full of prestige and power play and Korea won the Asian derby with 1-3 (0-0, 0-1, 1-2).

The first period set the pace for the entire match, it was even and goalless since both of the teams’ goalkeepers made several amazing saves.

There were more action in the second period. Japan got a penalty shot after only three minutes, Ichiro Uedas shot was saved by YoungJune Lee. The Korean goalkeeper made another important save during a Japanese 2 to 1 attack shortly thereafter. Instead, it was Korea who scored the first goal of the match. BaekHee Lee scored 0-1 in power play

Power play was an important factor during the match. In the third period, KyoungHoon Seo scored 0-2 before JongSuk Shin scored 0-3 in power play after a great Korean attack. Japan played five against four five times during the match without scoring. Korea, on the other hand, scored in every power play they had. Japan, worthy of more goals, finally placed the ball behind the very skilled Korean goalkeeper, YoungJune, and the match ended 1-3 to the cheers of all the Koreans present. 

Full match statistics here.

Photo: Rasmus Tynander.