Women’s gold medal game set as Korea men advance to final
The women’s gold medal game at the Pacific-Asia Curling Championships 2019 will feature Japan against hosts, China, after their 8-2 win against Korea in the semi-final.
With this win, China secured their nation a spot at the World Women’s Curling Championships 2020 in Prince George, Canada from 14-22 March 2020, along with Japan. Japan beat Hong Kong, 15-2, on Thursday (7 November) night.
In the first men’s semi-final, Korea faced New Zealand. This year, only the men’s gold medallist will lock in their spot at the LGT World Men’s Curling Championship 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland, from 28 March-5 April. Korea became one step closer to this goal, after defeating New Zealand 10-6.
Happy hosts
China’s young skip, Yu Han, is competing in the women’s competition for her first time. But, can draw upon previous experiences at the World Junior Curling Championships.
In the fourth end of the women’s game, Han hit and rolled for one point against four counters to go up 2-1. Korea’s skip, Un Chi Gim, then faced trouble in the fifth end, when she missed her raise take-out, giving China a steal of two.
Korea got back on the scoreboard in the sixth end with a perfect draw to the button for a one point score, 4-2.
In the seventh end, Han made a hit-and-roll against two Korean stones to score one point, 5-3, and then stole in both the eighth and ninth ends to win 8-2.
“I did very well with my draws and I think that confidence largely came from my teammates, we had great communication about the ice and shots timing in this game,” said Han.
“Korea missed some key shots while we made a lot, so I think we figured out the ice better than them so we focused on the details more.
“We’re feeling really good knowing that we’ve earned a spot at the Worlds. We’ll take tomorrow’s final seriously and focus on our shots.”
Double for three
Korea men will have a chance to become Pacific-Asia champions on Saturday (9 November). They await the winner of the second men’s semi-final between Japan and China which will be played on Friday (8 November) at 14:00 (China Standard Time). Live on World Curling TV and national broadcasters.
In the first semi-final, New Zealand skip, Scott Becker, drew to the four-foot for two points in the third end to level the game 2-2. Then in the fifth end, Korea’s skip Chang-Min Kim made a nose hit for two points to take a 4-3 advantage.
Momentum swung immediately in the Korean’s favour, when Kim squeaked by a guard and executed a double take-out for three points in the seventh end to take a 7-4 lead. For the first time of the game, fist pumps and high-fives were handed out amongst the Korean team. With another three points in the ninth end, New Zealand shook hands, 10-6.
Reflecting on the game, Kim said, “Sometimes we tried to score a big end, but we had to be patient and relax. We had to calm ourselves down and believe we could make it. We have a young team – except me – and we can get emotional and very excited. It is important for us to calm ourselves down and draw on the experience we have.”
“We are so happy to be in the final. This was the toughest moment so far, but we made it.”
Results women’s semi-finals: Japan 12-5 Hong Kong; China 8-2 Korea
Results men’s semi-final one: Korea 10-6 New Zealand
Women’s standings after semi-final one
GF Japan 7-1
GF China 7-1
BF Korea 6-2
BF Hong Kong 3-5
Chinese Taipei 3-4
Australia 2-5
Kazakhstan 2-5
Qatar 0-7
Men’s standings after semi-final one:
Q Korea 10-0
Q China 7-1
Q Japan 7-1
Q New Zealand 6-4
Chinese Taipei 4-4
Australia 3-5
Qatar 3-5
Kazakhstan 2-6
Hong Kong 1-7
Nigeria 0-8
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