Korea DPR, South Korea score contrasting wins to reach final four
MARABELLA, Trinidad (CMC) – Korea DPR remained on course for a successful title defence when they beat Germany 1-0 on Thursday night to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
Playing in the second match of a quarter-final double-header at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, the Koreans got a single goal just before the first half to settle the affair and send the powerful Germans packing.
Heavily favoured to reach the final four after scoring 22 goals and conceding just one in the tournament so far, Germany stumbled when it mattered most as the attacking trio of Lena Lotzen, Kyra Malinowski and Lena Petermann were all silenced.
With neither side able to conjure up a real moment of class, the first-half seemed headed to a goalless stalemate before Kim Kum Jong’s strike.
She collected the ball about 35 yards from goal and hammered a brilliant volley into the top corner which gave goalkeeper Lena Nuding no chance.
The Germans came out battling and should have equalised when a free kick found its way into the area but Petermann hit wide from near point blank range.
Korea DPR were due to play the winner of the Japan versus Republic of Ireland quarter-final last night at the Larry Gomes Stadium.
Earlier in the first match of the doubleheader, South Korea edged Nigeria 6-5 in thrilling encounter that was forced into extra time.
Yeo Min Ji scored four times while Lee Geum Min and Kim Areum added one to hold off the rampant West African side who got braces from Loveth Ayila and Ngozi Okobi.
Korea seemed to have the game sewn up at 4-3 but Okobi grabbed her second of the game in stoppage time to pull Nigeria level and force extra time.
Four minutes into first-half of extra-time Kim Areum scored from close range to put her side back in front before Min Ji followed up shortly with a firm header to snatch a 6-4 lead.
Nigeria hauled themselves back with an Ayila strike after 13 minutes but could not find a second goal to remain in the match.
South Korea will now face either European champions Spain or South American champions Brazil who met in their quarter-final at the Ato Boldon Stadium last night.