By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter

South Korea failed to reach the final four at the U-17 World Cup, falling to reigning champion Nigeria 3-1, Tuesday (KST).

Son Heung-min scored on a mid-range shot for Korea to tie the game after Ramon Azeez opened the scoring for the home side in the first half at U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, Nigeria.

But Nigeria got two goals in the second half to move on to the semifinals, where it will meet Spain ― a team it beat two years ago to win the title ― in Lagos, Nigeria, Friday.

Colombia will meet Switzerland in the other semifinal match.

Despite the loss, the appearance in the elite eight matches the team's best ever finish at the Under-20 World Cup since the biennial tournament's inception in 1985 ― Korea also reached the quarterfinals in 1987.

"I congratulate the Nigerian team with all my heart," Korean manager Lee Kwang-jong said. "They are a very talented team and you can see that we were outplayed in many areas of the pitch tonight.'

"We fought hard and I have no complaints with the effort of my players. Reaching the last eight is a big achievement and I am proud of the way my team has played here in Nigeria. I think we were a little bit tired from our extra-time session against Mexico, but that is no excuse. We lost to a better team tonight."

The three-time champion, the most successful nation in the contest's history, broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute.

Azeez fired home a rebound, which was deflected poorly by a Korean defender on a corner kick, to put his side in front.

After allowing the opening goal, the determined Korean side relied on its short-passing game and pushed the African side back to its own area.

And it finally evened the game as Son scored five minutes from half time.

The forward broke to the center from midfield and blasted a stunner from 25 meters into the far left corner of the net.

It was the Koreans' first legitimate scoring chance of the match and it managed to silence the otherwise boisterous Nigerian crowd, at least temporarily.

However, the tie did not last long.

Five minutes into the second half, midfielder Abdul Ajagun unleashed a 30-meter bullet past goalie Kim Jin-young to make it 2-1 and striker Terry Enyon sealed the deal in the 85th, when he connected with a cross and knocked the ball just inside the post.

"It was a good game tonight, and the result came after a lot of studying and preparation," said Nigerian coach John Obuh. "We took our chances well and I am happy to be moving on to the semi-final round. We have done our best tonight and the fans here were always behind us."

ksw@koreatimes.co.kr