While defending champions Japan fired 19 past newcomers Guam, hosts China found the net 17 times against Bahrain and DPR Korea hit Jordan for six, the match between the Central Asians and the 2009 champions was more of a match of attrition between two evenly-matched sides, although Korea Republic coach Lee Moon-seok was left ruing the fact that his girls didn’t adhere to his game plan.

“I am not happy with the fact that the players didn’t do what I said,” Lee lamented at the post-match press conference.

“It was not a great match and we have had several players injured today so we will have to think about replacements for the Thailand match.

“We don’t know much about the Thais but the most important thing is that we play our way.”

Lee has the advantage of being able to watch the Thais in action against the Uzbeks on Saturday with the Koreans set to face the ASEAN side on Monday in the final round of group stage matches.