FIFA U-17 WOMEN&039;S WORLD CUP – KOREANS CLOSE IN ON TOP EIGHT

Korea DPR took a giant stride towards the quarter-finals in Christchurch today after defeating Costa Rica 2-1.

The result leaves the Central Americans with no chance of progressing from the group stage.

The North Koreans looked the better side early on, although it was Costa Rica’s Raquel Rodriguez Vasquez who had the first chance of the game on 12 minutes.

Korea DPR opened the scoring four minutes later, however, when a mistake from Maria Barquero let in Kim Un Hyang on the right, who crossed for Yun Hyon Hi to finish with the skill and precision of a seasoned professional.

The individual enterprise of Raquel Rodriguez Cedeno gave the CONCACAF team an equalizer only four minutes later.

After a tough tackle to disposses Hyon Un Hui, the Costa Rican No12 entered the area, evaded another challenge, and sent a rocketing shot past Hon Myong Hui.

Korea DPR regained the initiative in the second period, and on 65 minutes they found the deciding goal.

Hyon Un Hui’s cross from the left was not cleared by the Costa Rican defence, and Yun Hyon Hi scored her second goal of the afternoon through a tangle of legs in the area.

Costa Rica never really looked like equalizing after the goal and Korea DPR now look likely to accompany Germany in progressing from Group B.

Korean goalscoring star Hyon Hi Yun was elated with the result and her own personal performance.

"It’s a wonderful feeling to score two goals in a World Cup match but this is a day of glory for the whole team, not me. We have come on a tremendous amount since our first game against Germany and we need to keep on improving if we want to be on top of our game." 

Costa Rican Coach Juan Diego Quesada was impressed with the improvements his side have shown and vowed to fight on in their final match on Wednesday

"We’ve improved since our opening game but we need to be more watchful about long balls over the top of defence.

"It’s not nice to lose but at least we went down fighting. In the last game I’ll be giving a chance to some of the girls who haven’t played much in this World Cup so far but we won’t be giving anything away.

"We’ll be fighting hard for our first win," he said. 

Photo from FIFA Media/Foto-net

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

Costa Rica (1) 1 (Rodriguez Cedeno 20’)

Korea DPR (1) 2 (Yun 16’; 65’)

QE II Stadium

CRC: 1. Priscila TAPIA [gk], 4. Maria BARQUERO; 7. Mariela CAMPOS, 8. Daniela CRUZ, 10. Katherine ALVARADO ©, 11. Raquel RODRIGUEZ C., 12. Raquel RODRIGUEZ V., 13. Jacqueline MATA (9. Carolina MORALES 73’); 15. Adriana GUZMAN, 17. Yocxelin RODRIGUEZ (6. Jasmine GUZMAN 60’); 19. Fabiola SANCHEZ;

Substitutes Not Used: 2. Lina YARAMILO; 3. Daniela VEGA; 5. Gabriela GUILLEN; 14. Daniela CAMACHO; 16. Krickshia SPENCE; 18. Maria ARIAS [rgk]; 20. Hazel QUIROS; 21. Jakeiline PALACIOS [rgk];

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

Coach: Juan QUESAD (CRC)

DPR: 1. HONG Myong Hui [gk]; 2. Un Hui HON, 3. Hong Yon JON, 5. Sol Hui KIM, 6. UJ KIM, 7. Un Ju KIM, 8. Yon Hui PAE ©, 9. Un Byol HO, 10. Myong Hwa JON, 12. Hyon Mi KIM, 18. Un Hyang KIM (11. Hyon Hi YUN 62’).

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; 15. Un Ae RI, 16. Ok CHA, 17. Yu Ri JONG, 19. Hyon Sun JANG.

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None.

Coach: Ui Ham RI (DPR)

Referee: Cristina DORCIOMAN (ROU)

Assistant Referee 1: Vivian PEETERS (NED)

Assistant Referee 2: Ingrida SILIUNIENE (LTU)

Fourth Official: Natalia AVDONCHENKO (RUS)

Group B Standings: