Tied at 3-3 at the end of 90 minutes in which the lead and the initiative changed hands continually, the two sides battled to a standstill in extra-time, with the South Koreans holding their nerve from the spot to win the country’s maiden FIFA title.
Earlier in the day Spain took the honours in the match for third place, securing a 1-0 win over defending champions Korea DPR. Dominant in the first half without finding any reward, Las Rojitas capitalised on a mistake in the North Korean defence to take the lead just after the restart and were indebted to goalkeeper Dolores Gallardo as they survived a late fightback by the gallant North Koreans.
Their South Korean counterparts took the lead in the final with their first shot of the match, Lee Jungeun smashing the ball home from 25 yards. Japan repeated the trick from even further out five minutes later when Hikaru Naomoto collected from a poor clearance, controlled and slipped past one marker before finding the net from 30 yards.
Japan then took the lead through a harmless-looking effort from Yoko Tanaka that somehow slipped under goalkeeper Kim Minah.
But the scores were level again when Korea Republic captain Kim Areum struck with yet another long-range effort, this time a vicious free kick from 40 yards.
The fans were able to catch their breath a bit as the second half began at a less-frenetic tempo but the lull in the action lasted only 11 minutes and was broken by outstanding Japanese winger Kumi Yokoyama. She bolted past a row of defenders, as she has done on so many occasions at these finals, and crossed low for Chika Kato was on hand to poke home.
But the Koreans refused to let the trophy slip from their grasp and were on equal terms yet again when substitute Lee So Dam thundered home from well outside the box to force extra time.
Japan were the dominant side in the added periods, but they couldn’t convert their chances and the game was decided on penalties. Defender Jang Selgi was the hero on the night, scoring the decisive spot-kick to see Korea Republic win their first world title in any age category or gender.
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