[Photo] Unified Korean women’s hockey team hits the ice for debut match

The unified Korean women’s hockey team played a warm-up match against Sweden on Feb. 4 at the Seonhak International Ice Rink in Incheon. The Korean team lost to the 5th-ranked Swedes by a score of 1-3, with South Korean forward Park Jong-ah scoring for the host nation. Arirang was played as the unified Korean team’s anthem prior to the match, and the crowd waved Unification flags and gave passionate support to the team throughout. Coach Sarah Murray seemed pleased with the team’s performance saying afterward, “Being added 12 days ago and not getting to practice together all that much, [the North Koreans] played our system pretty well, so I’m proud of them.” Pak Chol-ho, the North Korean coach who is assisting with the team said that the game showed that Koreans “can do anything if they do things as one.” (Photo Pool)