FIFA U-17 WOMEN&039;S WORLD CUP – KOREA DPR WIN INAUGURAL TITLE

AUCKLAND – Korea DPR were crowned inaugural FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup champions after a pulsating come from behind victory over the USA before 16162 fans at North Harbour Stadium this afternoon. The match opened in dramatic fashion when the USA took the lead after just two minutes when a long throw in by defender Cloee Colohan was deflected into the Korea DPR net by goalkeeper Myong Hui Hong.

Korea DPR responded to the situation immediately when Un Byol Ho cruised past three USA defenders only for Colohan to make a saving block tackle with just goalkeeper Vancil left to beat. The USA nearly doubled the lead shortly after when Sam Mewis nearly latched onto a Kristie Mews cross only for Un Hui Hon to intervene.

It was a nervy start to the match by Korea as the AFC qualifiers struggled to keep possession in the USA third thanks to a combination of wayward passes and solid defence.

USA fans held their collective breath on 24 minutes when a Un Byol Ho free-kick hit Taylor Vancil’s crossbar before it cannoned clear to safety. Vicky Di Martino had a good chance to re-establish USA’s ascendancy when she dribbled past three defenders before shooting goalwards. Korea DPR goalkeeper Hong seized the moment made amends for her earlier error with a timely save to deny Di Martino at close range.

Although the match was hardly a spectacle of quality football there was no shortage of drama and most of it was manufactured by Korea DPR. The introduction of three substitutes Un Ae Ri, Un Ju Kim and Hyon Sun Jang was the catalyst for some cutting edge creative moves for Korea DPR. With Un Byol Ho in combination with the two substitutes Korea DPR raised its game a notch.

The pressure told on 77 minutes when a sensational free kick by Un Ae Ri smacked the USA crossbar before returning into a penalty area melee. Un Ju Kim’s acrobatic overhead cross from wide on the left of Taylor Vancil’s six yard box looped toward Hyon Sun Jang who directed a powerful header into the empty net with USA defenders unable to prevent a deserved equaliser.

The USA were still reeling when Sol Hui Kim attempted another long range free kick just four minutes later from nearly 40 metres out but Vancil was more than equal to the task. Both teams appeared satisfied to be level at the end of ninety minutes and the mood prevailed in the first half of extra time with neither side able to create any further clear cut chances.

The second period of extra time saw the USA cause mayhem in the Korea DPR penalty area when another long throw in on 108 minutes by Colohan found Sam Johnson was headed wide with Korea DPR looking susceptible every time they conceded a throw in near their own penalty area.

Within sixty seconds the USA had spurned a second chance when Sam Mewis flashed a Colohan throw-in well wide. The theme continued when Johnson dashed past three Korea DPR defenders and rounded goalkeeper Hong before attempting to curl a right foot shot from an acute angle into the far post.

Korea DPR delivered the decisive blow when Un Byol Ho threaded an incisive pass through the USA defence for Hyon Sun Jang to latch onto. The substitute eluded two challenges before taking a right foot shot to the right of Taylor Vancil who could only get a glove on the substitute’s effort as it flew into the back of the net.

Korea DPR Coach Ri Ui Ham said the victory was reward for a lot of hard work.

"My players and I are very proud of this result. It was a tough game, as we expected it to be.

"But even when we went 1-0 down very early in the game, we showed strong character. We have been training very hard for a long time to achieve this, and we became stronger game by game.

"We came here with no other goal than the victory; our players were in perfect condition and showed it during the whole tournament. Throughout, we have been thinking only about our country and people, so we are happy that we will bring great pleasure to out motherland with this victory."

USA Coach Kazbek Tambi was proud of his teams performance despite the loss.

"I’m really proud of my kids for their efforts over the tournament and for coming so close to winning a world championship," he said.

"Obviously we’re disappointed but North Korea played a tremendous game and we congratulate them.

"They did a great job of closing us down and outplayed us at times. But it was great match and great advert for women’s football.

"This has been an awesome tournament, the level has been outstanding, and it has made a really strong statement about the state of the women’s game."

* The total aggregate number of fans to attend all matches at the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – New Zealand 2008 was 212000 far exceeding all expectations. The total surpassed the number that attended matches at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup – Russia 2006 by 160000.

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – New Zealand 2008

Attendance: 16162.

USA: 18. Taylor VANCIL [gk], 3. Amber BROOKS, 4. Crystal DUNN, 6. Cloee COLOHAN (c), 7. Courtney VERLOO, 8.Vicki DiMARTINO (9. Sam JOHNSON 106′), 10. Kristie MEWIS, 11. Sam MEWIS, 13. Julia ROBERTS, 17. Rachel QUON, 20. Olivia KLEI (19. Elizabeth EDDY 61’).

Substitutes not used: 1.Alexa GAUL [rgk]; 2. Lexi HARRIS, 5.Erika TYMARI ; 12. Hayley BROCK; 14. Mandy LADDISH ;15. Kate BENNETT; 16. Morgan BRIAN; 21. Jenn PETTIGREW [rgk].

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

Coach: Kazbek TAMBI (USA)

PRK: 1. HONG Myong Hui [gk]; 2. HYON Un Hui, 3. JON Hong Yon, 5. Sol Hui KIM, 6. UJ KIM (15. Un Ae RI 68’), 8. Yon Hui PAE © (19. Hyon Sun JANG 104’), 9. Un Byol HO, 10. Myong Hwa JON, 11. Hyon Hi YUN (7. Un Ju KIM 53’) 12. Hyon Mi KIM, 18. Un Hyang KIM.

Substitutes Not Used: 20. Hyang Hui RI [rgk], 21. Su Jong KIM [rgk], 4. Un Jong RYU, 13. Myong Hui JO, 14. Chol Ok RO, 16. Ok CHA, 17. Yu Ri JONG.

Yellow cards: 2. HYON Un Hui 117’.

Red cards: None.

Coach: Ui Ham RI (PRK)

Referee: Silvia REYES (PER)

Assistant Referee 1: Cleidy Mary RIBEIRO (BRA)

Assistant Referee 2: Maria BARBOSA (BRA)

4th official: Kirsi STOICESCU (ROU)