1. Overview
Han Hye-yong (한혜영Han Hye-yeongKorean; born March 4, 1985) is a former North Korean football goalkeeper. Throughout her career, she played for Pyongyang City at the club level and was a significant member of the North Korea women's national football team. Her national team career included participation in major tournaments such as the 2005 EAFF Women's Football Championship, the 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup, the 2008 EAFF Women's Football Championship, and the 2008 Summer Olympics. She is particularly noted for a controversial incident during the 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup semi-final, which led to disciplinary action from the AFC.
2. Club Career
Han Hye-yong played her entire club career for Pyongyang City, a prominent club based in Pyongyang, North Korea.
3. National Team Career
Han Hye-yong's career with the North Korea women's national football team spanned several notable international tournaments, marked by both strong performances and a significant disciplinary incident.
3.1. Early International Appearances
Han Hye-yong was first called up to the North Korea women's national football team following the 2005 EAFF Women's Football Championship, which was held in South Korea. In this tournament, the North Korean team achieved a commendable second-place finish, securing the runner-up position.
3.2. 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup and Controversy
Han Hye-yong participated in the 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup, hosted in Australia. During the group stage, she demonstrated strong goalkeeping skills, recording four consecutive clean sheets that contributed to North Korea's advancement to the semi-finals.
The semi-final match against China became the focal point of a major controversy. North Korea was trailing 0-1 in the final moments of the game when they appeared to score an equalizing goal during injury time. However, the referees disallowed the goal, ruling it offside. Television replays of the incident, however, reportedly indicated that the goal should have stood. This contentious decision triggered an intense reaction from the North Korean players, who vehemently protested the call. During this heated exchange, Han Hye-yong reportedly pushed the Italian referee, Anna De Toni, leading to her being shown a red card. As the referees were being escorted off the field by police and security personnel, Han Hye-yong allegedly kicked referee De Toni. Additionally, two of her teammates, Sonu Kyong-sun and Song Jong-sun, were reported to have thrown water bottles at the officials and spectators. The match concluded with China winning 1-0, eliminating North Korea from the final.
3.3. Disciplinary Action and Subsequent Career
Following the controversial semi-final incident at the 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup, the AFC swiftly implemented disciplinary measures. Immediately, Han Hye-yong, along with Sonu Kyong-sun and Song Jong-sun, were banned from participating in North Korea's 3rd/4th place playoff match against Japan. Despite their absence, North Korea went on to defeat Japan 3-2, securing third place in the tournament.
On October 5, 2006, the AFC imposed more severe sanctions related to the violent conduct during the semi-final. Han Hye-yong received a one-year ban from all official football matches, encompassing both domestic club competitions and international appearances for the national team. She was also issued a fine of 4.50 K USD. This extensive ban notably prevented her from participating in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, which was held in China. Her teammates, Sonu Kyong-sun and Song Jong-sun, received four-month bans from official matches and fines of 3.00 K USD each.
After completing her suspension, Han Hye-yong returned to international competition. She was part of the North Korean squad that competed in the 2008 EAFF Women's Football Championship in China, where the team once again finished as runner-up.
3.4. 2008 Summer Olympics
Han Hye-yong was selected as part of the North Korea women's national football team squad for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. However, she did not feature in any matches during the tournament. She served as a backup goalkeeper to the team's primary choice, Jon Myong-hui. The North Korean team was ultimately eliminated in the group stage of the competition.