Members of the South Korean team celebrate with the cup after winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup against Japan at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Sunday. The win marks South Korea’s first championship title ever in a FIFA-sponsored tournament in both men’s and women's football. / AFP-Yonhap |
By Yi Whan-woo
South Korea captured the U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time by beating Japan in a 5-4 penalty shootout at Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Sunday.
The match was neck-and-neck and went to a shootout after a 3-3 score line after extra time. It also enthralled the nation as it was the first time South Korea emerged victorious in a FIFA-sponsored tournament for either men or women.
South Korean forward Yeo Min-ji’s eight goals saw her claim the Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards, as the best player and top scorer, becoming the first South Korean player to receive both prizes at an international tournament.
"Though I was in very poor condition today, I did my best," she said after the match. She expressed her hope to become a greater player in the future by making up her weaknesses.
No one at Hasely Crawford Stadium was sure who the champion would be until defender Jang Sel-gi sent the ball past the Japanese goalkeeper for South Korea’s victory in the shootout.
It was South Korea that nudged home the opening goal in the sixth minute with the first shot of the match. Midfielder Lee Jung-eun received a short pass and rifled a 25-yard shot into the top corner past goalkeeper Eri Hirao.
With both teams in their first-ever final of a FIFA competition, the Japanese youngsters showed they were worthy of their place. They quickly picked themselves up and leveled the game in the 11th minute, and then took the lead six minutes later. The Korean defense managed to clear the ball from a packed penalty box but midfielder Hikaru Naomoto was first to the ball. She rounded an opponent and slammed home an equalizer from about 30 yards with her left foot. Yoko Tanaka then scored from close range in the 17th.
As Japan continued to threaten the South Korean net, South Korea found an equalizer to end the first period 2-2. Captain Kim Ar-eum stepped up in a set-piece on the stroke of halftime and arrowed a 40 yard free kick into the net that saw the two teams start from scratch in the second half.
Japan re-took the lead in the 57th and South Korea responded in the 79th, before the two teams were forced into extra time tied at 3-3.
Striker Kumi Yokoyama penetrated from the left, looking to add to her tournament tally of six goals. Kim Min-ah deflected the 17-year-old Japanese striker’s effort, but forward Chika Kato put the ball into the net from the edge of the box.
Substitute Lee So-dam sent the proceedings into overtime, as she squared the match with a stunning shot from outside the penalty area.
The Asian finalists took the match into a penalty shootout, as the squads remained scoreless in extra time, with neither team seriously threatening their opponent’s goal.
The ladies as well as the fans in the stadium held their breath for every moment of the penalty shootout. South Korean midfielder Lee Jung-eun, the first penalty-taker, could have been made to regret missing the nation’s chance at a historic win as her shot was saved by the Japanese keeper. Defender Naoko Wada then missed Japan’s second penalty.
The South Koreans claimed their first world title in any category of age or gender as Jang Sel-gi converted the team’s fifth attempt while Japanese defender Tomoko Muramatsu’s attempt hit the crossbar.
Meanwhile, North Korea lost 1-0 to Spain in the third-place match held at the same stadium. The Spaniards maintained their lead after scoring their winning goal in the 56th minute through striker Raquel Pinel to prevent the Asian squads from sweeping the top three places.
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