Friday, March 29, 2024

Baghdad

DPR Korea beats US in FIFA Women Championship

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) DPR Korea held their nerve to beat holders USA 3-1 in a penalty shootout on Saturday and claim a spot in the semi-finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after the two sides had been tied 1-1 after extra-time.

Goalkeeper Kim Chol-ok was the heroine for the East Asians, saving the first three American penalties, as DPR Korea advanced to the competition’s final four after a finely balanced encounter at Toronto’s National Soccer Stadium.

DPR Korea will now meet the winner of Sunday’s encounter between Nigeria and New Zealand on August 20.

“When we started to play in the first half, we were probably too excited by the fact we were playing against the USA,” DPR Korea coach Hwang Yong-bong told fifa.com.

“I think that’s why we conceded the goal when we did. But then as time went by, our players calmed down and played better.

“I’m really proud of our goalkeeper Kim Chol-ok, but what she showed tonight is only the result of long hours of practice,” he added.

DPR Korea had lost twice before to the USA at this tournament, and must have thought the omens were against them once again when Michelle French’s side went ahead courtesy of Makenzy Doniak’s close-range finish after six minutes.

To their credit, the Koreans bounced back in fine fashion, Jon So-yon hitting the bar with an 18th minute free-kick, while Ri Un-sim could, and very possibly should, have restored parity, her chipped effort narrowly missing the target.

DPR Korea were not be denied after the break however, and after Stephanie Amack had handled Ri Un-sim’s shot in the area, Jon stepped up to level matters from the spot on 53 minutes.

Sensing victory, DPR Korea continued to press, Ri missing a golden opportunity to give her side the lead when she planted a 66th minute header wide of the target three minutes later.

The USA rallied late on when both Mallory Pugh and Lindsey Horan threatened the DPR Korea goal, but with chances few and far between, neither side could be separated in either regulation time or the additional 30 minutes that followed.

The USA had lost all three of their previous penalty shootouts at U-20 Women’s World Cup matches, and they were proved fallible once again, Kim saving from Savannah Jordan, Horan and Rose Lavelle, before Rim Se-ok scored the decisive spot-kick for DPR Korea. /End/

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