FIFA U-17 WOMEN&039;S WORLD CUP – KOREA DPR BEAT ENGLAND TO WORLD CUP FINAL

CHRISTCHURCH – Korea DPR have secured the first spot in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Final after they saw off a late attempted comeback to win 2-1 over England today at QEII stadium.

After a slow start the game picked up intensity and excitement late on, when it looked like England could possibly stage the great escape – part two – following their last minute heroics against Japan in the quarterfinal.

A goal from English midfielder Rebecca Jane in the 72nd minute gave the Lions hope but the classy, calm Korean heads prevailed and they scored a deserved spot in the competitions showpiece final.

England dominated the opening 15 minutes of the match – confident that an aggressive approach was the key to getting the better of their Asian opponents.

But for all their possession and urgency they were unable to break down the stubborn Korean defence and create any clear cut opportunities on goal. After weathering the storm Korea eventually found their feet and took over the match.

Korea opened the scoring in the 19th minute when striker Un Buol Ho dispossessed English defender Naomi Chadwick inside the six yard box. Ho was able to turn and fire the ball home from a very acute angle to give the Asian champions the lead.

Englands best chance of the half came from captain Jordan Nobbs who hit a terrific dipping shot from outside the box that Korean Goalkeeper Myong Hui Hong magnificently tipped over the bar with one hand.

One minute before halftime Myong Hwa Jon doubled Korea’s advantage after some industrious work down the right hand side by Hyon Hui Hong. Her well placed cut back was fired toward goal by Un Hyang Kim and Jon got the final touch.

The second half was dominated by Korean possession and English counter attacks. Wave after wave of attack was cleared away by the English defence until Jane got the breakthrough they were waiting for in the 72nd minute.

Lauren Bruton slipped a clever ball in behind the Korean defence and Jane sprinted onto it – slipping the ball past the advancing Korean goalkeeper to give her side a lifeline.

The final twenty minutes was played at a frenetic pace with England pushing forward for the equaliser and Korea looking to kill the match off.

Korean substitute Hyon Sun Jang had the best chance to make the game safe when she latched onto a ball over the top of the English defence, only for her right footed lob to fall safely into the hands of the England goalkeeper.

Korean Coach Ri Ui Ham credited the win to being clinical in the attacking third.

"I don’t think that we won because the English players were more tired than mine," he said. 

"The physical abilities were the same on both sides and we won because we were more clinical.

"We scored with our first good attempts and that made the difference. Then, we just cotrolled the game, even when they came back at 2-1.

"For the final, I have no preference. We already know Germany because we played against them, and if it’s USA, that will be something new for us."

English Coach Lois Fidler was proud of her girls, but felt they deserved more.

"I think our girls deserved to get more out of the game. I’m very proud of them: they were resilient and showed great character again.

"We’ve had a lot of criticism here for coming out on top in games when we’ve not been the better side, but on this occasion I think it was the other way round.

"But we wish the Koreans all the best in the final and we’ll prepare for the third place game as we would have for the final."

Korea will meet the winner of the Semi Final between Germany and USA played at 19H00 at QEII stadium

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

DPR: 1. HONG Myong Hui [gk]; 2. Un Hui HON, 3. Hong Yon JON, 5. Sol Hui KIM, 6. UJ KIM, 8. Yon Hui PAE © (7. Un Ju KIM 71’), 9. Un Byol HO, 10. Myong Hwa JON, 11. Hyon Hi YUN (19. Hyon Sun JANG 53’); 12. Hyon Mi KIM, 18. Un Hyang KIM (15. Un Ae RI 90+3);

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. Un Hui HON 50’; 1. HONG Myong Hui 68’; 19. Hyon Sun Jang 90+2’;

Red cards: None.

Coach: Ri Ui Ham (PRK)

ENG: 1. Lauren DAVEY [gk]; 2. Rachel DALY; 3. Naomi CHADWICK (14. Stephanie MARSH 55’), 5. Jodie JACOBS, 7. Rebecca JANE, 8. Jordan NOBBS ©, 9. Danielle CARTER, 10. Isobel CHRISTIANSEN, 11. Lucy STANIFORTH (17. Sarah WILTSHIRE 85’); 12. Lucia BRONZE, 16. Lauren BRUTON;

Substitutes Not Used: 6. Gemma BONNER; 13. Amy CARR [rgk], 15. Jemma ROSE, , 20. Kirsty LINNETT, 21. Juliana DRAYCOTT [rgk]. 4 Jessica HOLBROOK; 19. Paige ELI; 18. Rachel PITMAN;

Yellow cards: 12. Lucia BRONZE 89’;

Red cards: None.

Coach: Lois RIDLER (ENG)

Referee: Michelle PYE (CAN)

Assistant Referee 1: Emperatriz AYALA (SLV)

Assistant Referee 2: Mayte CHAVEZ (MEX)

Fourth Official: Kirsi SAVOLAINEN (FIN)