By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
South Korea's U-20 football team heralded its strong run at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada by downing the Czech Republic 1-0.
In a friendly match in Toronto Sunday aimed at preparing for the final qualifying match against Poland, forward Shim Young-sung's second half winner lifted Korea over the Eastern European powerhouse.
South Korea, which has participated in the biennial world football event for the 10th time, is drawn into ``group of death'' Group D with four-time champion Brazil, the United States and Poland.
The team will face the United States on June 30, Brazil on July 3 and Poland on July 6 and all the games will be held at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.
The Czech team, which beat Poland 2-0 in a European qualifying round, belongs to Group E with defending champion Argentina, North Korea and Panama.
The South Koreans booked their place at the World Cup after finishing third at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Youth Championship in India last November.
South Korea positioned Shim and Suwon BlueWings forward Ha Tae-goon as two tops and Bae Seung-jin, Kim Sung-joon and An Hyun-shik filled in the three backs.
It prevailed over the opponent, which advanced to the Youth World Cup for the fifth time, with structured passing plays despite failing to open the score in the first half.
Korea had several scoring opportunities under FC Seoul midfielder Song Jin-hyung's coordination but Czech goalkeeper's good saves and a lack of completion left the Asian country goalless.
In the fourth minute, forward Ha had a one-on-one chance against the goalie and fired the ball, which went wide of the mark, and seven minutes later, Ha again shot to the right corner of the post inside the goal area from the left, which hit the bar.
Song Jin-hyung's strong right-footed shot in the area was also saved in the 35th minute.
Entering the second half, South Korea substituted nine players including striker Shin Young-rok of Suwon BlueWings.
Korea whose best mark was advancing to the semifinals in Mexico in 1983 went on attacking the Czech side starting with FC Seoul midfielder Kim Dong-suk's mid-range shot.
Thirty minutes into the second half the combination of Shin Young-rok and Shim Young-sung finally broke the scoreless tie.
Shin dashed into the area from the right and sent a cross to Shim, who netted home for a 1-0 lead.
After the goal, the Czech Republic tried to even the game but to no avail.
The Korean team will have a closed-door friendly game against host Canada today morning Korean time.
Meanwhile, the United States, Korea's opening opponent, beat Chile 2-1.
In the game in East Rutherford, N.J., 17-year-old football-prodigy Freddy Adu scored once and set up Robbie Rogers's winning goal.