(ATR) The Korean women's hockey team featuring players from North and South Korea have ended their Olympic run at the hands of Japan.
Despite losing each of its three matches, the team accomplished many Olympic firsts, including breaking through for a goal in its final match against Japan.
The united Korea team scored halfway through the final match, sending the Kwandong Hockey Centre into a frenzy. The blue unification flags that Koreans marched under during the opening ceremony could be seen throughout the arena.
"It was so loud after Randi scored, we couldn’t even hear each other talk on the bench," Korea coach Sarah Murray said according to Reuters. "We kind of gave each other a hug and then got refocused, ready for the next shift."
The team was also the first to unify athletes from the two Koreas at the Olympics, with the two countries previously collaborating for table tennis and youth football championships in years past.
The unified team was eliminated after its second loss of the tournament to Sweden, dropping that match by the same score as it did to Switzerland in the opener, 8-0.
Korea needed to finish in the top two in Group B to reach the knockout stage. The two opening losses meant the match against Japan would not matter in terms of qualification, yet the players competed with heart.
Despite Japan securing its first Olympic women’s ice hockey victory against Korea, the country is also eliminated for dropping its two openers.
However, both teams are now entering the consolation bracket where Korea and Japan will play the losers of the quarterfinals.
IOC member Angela Ruggiero, an American Olympic ice hockey gold medallist, believes the unified Korean team should be recognized for its accomplishments outside of the Games,possibly with a Nobel Peace Prize.
IOC President Thomas Bach attended the team’s opening match with South Korean President Jae In Moon and a North Korean delegation. Bach addressed the players afterwards and told the team about the importance and significance of their participation, according to IOC sources.
Bach is also scheduled to visit North Korea after the Games conclude Feb. 25.
Written by Kevin Nutley and Miguel Hernandez
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