The game proved to be an intriguing contest between two sides of differing styles. This sort of matchup is a rarity in Asian women\u2019s club football given the lack of club competition in the women\u2019s game. All that will change later this year, with this event serving the precursor for the coming AFC Women\u2019s Champions League set to launch in August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From the start Hyundai looked the more comfortable of the two sides. Reds struggled to forge a path through the Korean\u2019s defensive structure and were often disposed by their collective pressing and off-the-ball movements. The hosts appeared slightly stunned with this approach as most of their domestic WE League opponents adopt a more front-footed, possession-based style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hyundai\u2019s efforts paid off at the 13-minute mark as they capitalised on poor decision making by Reds’ defender Reina Nagashima while under pressure close to her penalty area. Instead of going back to the keeper or launching the ball clear, the Reds’ homegrown talent played a risky short pass which Hyundai attacker Lee So-hee latched onto before pulling the trigger and firing past keeper Sakiko Ikeda from range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite their domestic dominance in recent times, it seemed Reds had been presented with a very new and unfamiliar challenge; Hyundai were soundly organised defensively and their counter-attacking sequences appeared well rehearsed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n