ULSAN – New Zealand has departed the FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup with their pride restored but disappointed they could not sign off with at least a draw against North Korea.
A botched clearance cost the Youth All Whites dearly in Ulsan as substitute Rim Chol Min pounced on Nick Corliss’ miscue to score the Group B decider’s only goal in the 81st minute.
Corliss appeared to have shielded the ball from Rim for on-rushing New Zealand goalkeeper Michael O’Keeffe to collect. But a last-gasp decision to hook the ball clear backfired with Corliss only
succeeding in whacking his clearance off his own face to hand Rim a clear run into an empty goal.
It was a cruel end for New Zealand who had finally showed glimpses of their undoubted potential following earlier 7-0 and 5-0 meltdowns against Brazil and England respectively.
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