HAMILTON – Korea DPR have clinched second spot and qualification through to the quarterfinals at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World cup today after scoring a late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw with Germany at Waikato Stadium.
With Ghana leading Costa Rica in Christchurch, Korea were staring up the barrel of early elimination heading into the second half with Germany leading 1-0.
But striker Myong Hwa Jon made made sure the determined Koreans dream would live on in the 57th minute when she turned expertly in the box before rifling home a right foot half volley into the bottom corner.
The vital goal meant Korea finished the group on five points, one ahead of Ghana who finished on four after their win. Germany will qualify top of Group B with seven points from three games.
The Germans got off to a perfect start three minutes in when Marie-Louise Bagehorn found Alexandra Popp in the box unmarked. Popp took her time to set herself before delivering a firm half volley into the bottom corner of the Korean net before racing off to perform a robotic celebration dance with team mates on the substitutes bench.
From then on the half was dominated by Korean possession and German counter attacks as Korea found it difficult to break down the well marshalled German defence.
Kim UJ and Uk Kim came closest for Korea with shots from outside the box whistling over the bar.
The Germans were very quick and aggressive going forward and nearly doubled their lead on 37 minutes when Alexandra Popp wriggled free on the right hand side before squaring the ball to Ivana Rudelic who evaded the offside trap before hitting her shot straight at he Korean goalkeeper.
Halftime for the Koreans brought news that Ghana were leading Costa Rica in Christchurch and a resurgent side came out in the second half with goals on their mind.
Hwa Jon answered Korean prayers in the 57th minute after a sweeping interchange between Un Hyang Kim and Kim UJ opened up a passing channel for Myong Hwa snuck into. She had time to turn pick her spot and smash home a right footed strike, which may well be the most important goal of her short career.
The games urgency picked up after the goal, with Korea desperate not to concede and Germany throwing bodies forward,
Korea packed the defence in the last 10 minutes and their were a few nervous moments for the Korean bench. But goalkeeper Myong Hui Hong had a great game in goal and her save hands handled a barrage of late freekicks, corners and crosses.
It was a deserved point for Korea – who out drilled the Germans with a dogged performance that got the required result.
German coach Ralf Peter said he was very impressed with the North Korea side.
“I expected the match to be as hard as it was,” he said.
“North Korea showed why they were Asian champions and beat Japan two times in a very strong manner. They showed their true face today for the first time.
“The Korean team will play a good role in the further tournament.
Asked about his own team’s performance he said he was trying to rest some players.
“I tried to give some exhausted players a rest at the beginning and tried something out with positions and players.
“You could see that after the changes in the last 20 minutes that Germany dominated the match.
“I was very happy with the early goal. It gave the team some safety.
“I was not happy with the equaliser because their were some mistakes in the defence.”
He thinks his team can still improve
Preferred quarterfinal opponents?
“You cannot make a wish at this stage of the tournament, but I think our team has the power to beat all three opponents in contention.”
He nominated his central defenders, skipper Valeria Kleiner and Inka Wesely, as his stand-out players,
He was also satisfied with the performance of second-string keeper Almuth Schult.
Korean DPR coach Ri Ui Ham said he believes Germany are the best team at the tournament.
“We think Germany’s technique is very good. To qualify we knew we had to win or draw. We think Germany is the best team.”
"After the first half the players were very tired. I told them to calm down and play with team work.
Under pressure to qualify?
“We thought we would qualify.”
"Other teams play quite well. We don’t know exactly about the other teams so don’t know what to expect.
He said midfielder and captain Pae Yon Hui, one of nine players from the April 25 Sport Group club, was the pick of his players.
With a broad grin, he admitted his heart was beating wildly when one of his players executed a looping goal bound back-header in the final minutes.
He was delighted with the sideline drum-banging and vocal support from Hamilton’s Korean community.
“They are our blood relatives. We are thankful and our players lifted their efforts from this.”
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – New Zealand 2008
Germany (1) 1(11. Alexandra POPP 3’)
Korea DPR (0)1(10. JON Myong Hwa 58’)
Waikato Stadium
Hamilton
New Zealand
Tuesday 4 November 2008
Kick-off: 16H00
Attendance:
GER: 12. Almuth SCHULT (GK); 3. Inka WESLEY, 4. Valeria KLEINER ©, 5. Carolin SIMON, 6. Marie-Louise BAGEHORN; 10. Dzsenifer MAROZSAN; 11. Alexandra POPP, 14. Ivana RUDELIC (9. Tabea KEMME 68’); 16. Nicole ROLSER (17. Isabelle LINDEN 68’); 19. Claudia GOTTE (8. Lynn MESTER 72’); 20. Leonie MAIER;
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Anna SARHOLZ [gk]2. Angelina LUEBCKE; 7. Turid KNAAK; 13. Julia DEBITSKI; 15. Hasret KAYICKI; 18. Svenja HUTH; 21. Lisa SCHMITZ [rgk];
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
Coach: Ralf PETER (GER)
PRK: 1. HONG Myong Hui [gk]; 2. Un Hui HON, 3. Hong Yon JON, 5. Sol Hui KIM, 6. UJ KIM, 8. Yon Hui PAE ©, 9. Un Byol HO, 10. Myong Hwa JON (7. Un Ju KIM 90), 11. Hyon Hi YUN (19. Hyon Sun JANG); 12. Hyon Mi KIM, 18. Un Hyang KIM (15. Un Ae RI 65’);
Substitutes Not Used: 4. Un Jong RYU, 13. Myong Hui JO;; 20. Hyang Hui RI [rgk], 21. Su Jong KIM [rgk]; 14. Chol Ok RO; 16. Ok CHA, 17. Yu Ri JONG; 20. Hyang Hui RA; 21. Su Jong KIM;
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None.
Coach: Ui Ham RI (PRK)
Referee: Michelle PYE (CAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Emperatriz AYALA (SLV)
Assistant Referee 2: Vivian PEETERS (NED)
Fourth Official: Kirsi SAVOLAINEN (FIN)
Group B
Final Standings – 04.11.08
|
|
PL |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
PTS |
GD |
|
|
1. |
|
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
9 |
3 |
7 |
+6 |
|
2. |
DPR |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
+1 |
|
3. |
|
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
|
4. |
|
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
8 |
0 |
-7 |