Korean hockey team beaten in debut match

Korea’s unified women’s ice hockey team were beaten 3-1 in a creditable performance against former Olympic medallists Sweden on their debut in a pre-olympics warm-up match in Incheon.

Jong Ah Park, 21, who was born in South Korea and has played in Canada, scored the Korean goal towards the end of the first period, shortly after Sweden had established a twogoal lead.

It marked the first time the team has played together since being brought together following North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s unexpected announcement that a delegation of athletes, cheerleaders and performers would attend the Games in Pyeongchang.

The team’s Canadian coach, Sarah Murray, said she was impressed with the performance of the North Korean players.