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WUHAN, China, Aug. 8 (Yonhap) — South Korea fell to North Korea 2-0 to settle for second place at the Women’s East Asian Cup on Saturday.

Yun Song-mi scored on a first-half free kick and Ra Un-sim added an insurance goal early in the second half at Wuhan Sports Center Stadium, as North Korea won its second consecutive East Asian Cup and closed out the four-nation event with a perfect 3-0 record.

North Korea, ranked eighth in the world, had earlier beat Japan 4-2 and China 3-2. It improved to 14 wins, one draw and one loss all-time against South Korea.

The 17th-ranked South Korea, which had downed China 1-0 and Japan 2-1 prior to Saturday, was seeking its first Women’s East Asian Cup title since 2005.

The Koreas entered the match as the only two nations with a chance to win the tournament. Both had six points apiece but the North was leading the South on goal difference. North Korea only needed a draw Saturday to clinch the title, while South Korea had to win or else.

South Korea was in control early but North Korea got on the board first, as Yun Song-mi scored on a free kick in the 22nd minute.

North Korean forward Ra Un-sim was fouled and drew the free kick, setting up the ever-important opening goal.

South Korea’s closest chance came in the 11th minute. Jung Seol-bin sent a shot from the top of the box, and goalkeeper Hong Myong-hui failed to get a proper handle and let the ball trickle in between her legs. She managed to corral it just before it crossed the goal line.

Kwon Hah-nul, playing in her 100th match for South Korea, sent a left-footed shot just over the net in the 39th, as South Korea upped the pressure.

Before South Korea could even the score, North Korea doubled the lead in the 51st minute, as Ra Un-sim, singled out by South Koreans as the most dangerous North Korean attacker, came through.

She took a feed at the top of the arc and dribbled in unchallenged, before shooting it past defender Lim Seon-joo for her tournament-leading third goal.

The goal took the wind out of South Korea’s sails. It wasn’t until 21 minutes into the second half that South Korea had its first shot, as Jang Sel-gi’s mid-range attempt went wide.

With the clock ticking down, Lee Geum-min wasted an open chance for South Korea from the left edge of the box.

North Korea is on a roll in regional events of late. It has won the 2013 Women’s East Asian Cup and the 2014 Asian Games, both held in South Korea.

Japan and China, each saddled with two losses, will clash later Saturday to determine third and fourth places.

jeeho@yna.co.kr

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