CHRISTCHURCH – Korea DPR and Ghana produced a vibrant 1-1 draw in the second match in Group B of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup played at QE II Stadium in Christchurch.
With Germany too hot to handle for Costa Rica in the earlier match of this double header, all eyes turned to see which of the AFC and CAF pair in this section would rise to the challenge set down by their European rivals.
Ghana produced several good chances in an exciting first-half but failed to capitalise on them, the most glaring opportunity falling to Deborah Afriyie in the first four minutes. Korea DPR’s Ho un Byol had her shot blocked by Ghanaian goalkeeper Patricia Mantey and in a moment of inspired defending just before the halftime break, Mantenn Kobblah blocked a Jon Myong Hwa shot on the goaline with Mantey well beaten.
Mantey – enjoying an inspired afternoon in goal for Ghana – denied Korea DPR further chances in the second half before Ho Un Byol opened the scoring on 69 minutes after she hit home from close range after latching onto a free-kick. Ghana responded immediately with some desperate attacking that resulted in a Florence Dadson equaliser on 74 minutes.
Korea DPR nearly took maximum points when Ho’s header smacked into the Ghana post with the inspirational Mantey left helpless. The 1-1 scoreline keeps both teams very much in the race for a quarter-final berth with Germany strong favourites to finish top of the group.
Korea DPR coach Ui Ham Ri was philosophical in summing up the performance and result.
“It was a very even game that could have gone either way. What we need to take from it is that we have to improve in virtually every area if we want to win our next matches,” Ui Ham Ri said.
Ui Ham Ri’s opposite number Abraham Allotey was more critical.
“We played well but we also made too many mistakes. I want to forget about thisgame now and concentrate on the next one and if we’re going to progress we need to train even harder. There are some technical aspects we have to improve but we won’t be changing anything in terms of tactics,” Allotey said.
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – New Zealand 2008
Korea DPR (0) 1 (HO Un Byol 69’)
Ghana (0) 1 (Florence DADSON 73’)
QE II Stadium
Christchurch
New Zealand
Wednesday 29 October 2008
Kick-off: 15h00
Attendance: 453.
PRK: 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: 1. HONG Myong Hui 89’.
Red cards: None.
Coach: Ui Ham RI (PRK)
GHA: 16. Patricia MANTEY [gk]; 3. Edem ATOVOR, 4. Linda ESHUN, 7. Juliet ACHEAMPONG, 8. Elizabeth ADDO, 9. Florence DADSON, 10. Mercy MYLES © (6. Elizabeth CUDJOE 63’), 11. Isha FORDJOUR, 12. Mantenn KOBBLAH, 14. Deborah AFRIYIE, 15. Rosemary AMPEM.
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Margaret OTOO [rgk], 21. Linda ABOAGYE [rgk], 2. Henrietta ANNIE, 5. Ellen COLEMAN, , 13. Priscilla OKINE, 17. Abena AMPOMAH, 18. Samira SULEMAN, 19. Candice OSEI-AGYEMANG, 20. Priscilla SAAHENE.
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
Coach: Abraham ALLOTEY (GHA)
Referee: Natalia AVDONCHENKO (RUS)
Assistant Referee 1: Maria LISICKA (SVK)
Assistant Referee 2: Ingrida SILIUNIENE (LTU)
4th official: Jia WANG (CHN)
Group B
|
|
PL |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
PTS |
GD |
|
| 1. |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
3 |
+5 |
|
| 2. |
DPR |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
| 3. |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
| 4. |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
-5 |
|
Korea DPR and Ghana in action at QE II Stadium in Christchurch – image courtesy of Foto-Net