By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
South Korea squandered an early lead and fell 2-1 to Italy at the Under-17 World Cup Friday (KST).
Defender Kim Jin-su scored for Lee Kwang-jong's side in the first half, but two goals in five minutes midway through the second half earned the Europeans their second win of the tournament at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, Nigeria.
Italy edged Algeria 1-0 and Korea won 3-1 over Uruguay in their first matches of Group F.
With the come-from-behind win, the Italians have advanced to the knockout stage, while the Koreans can still earn a second-round berth with a win in its final group match against Algeria Monday.
``We certainly gave a decent account of ourselves, but we failed to bury our chances. We should definitely have scored more against the Italians, but we're not overly disappointed, because we did play well,'' the Korean boss Lee said.
``I'm very optimistic about our chances against Algeria. They're talented and technically strong, and they play a very similar game to us. No one knows what's going to happen, but our goal is still to reach the next round."
Since the biennial competition was founded in 1985, the East Asians have played four times and reached the quarterfinals once, in 1987, when 16 countries participated.
The top two teams and four third places from six pools will reach the round of 16 in the 24-nation contest.
The Koreans dominated the game from the beginning and mounted several threatening attacks in front of the Italian net. But they proved unlucky in finding the target, with a few balls ringing off the crossbar and another denied by a nice save.
Korea was finally rewarded for its persistence when a handball foul by defender Vincenzo Camilleri in the box gave Korea a penalty kick, which was converted by Kim in the 30th to put his side ahead.
In the second half, although the Korean team relied on heavier attacks and mid-range shots, the European football powerhouse tied the match at 56 minutes, and eventually took control in the 61st.
Defenseman Michele Camporese headed home a cross from the right flank and his Fiorentina teammate striker Pietro Iemmello scored after getting a heel-pass from Marco Fossatti.
Pasquale Salerno's squad then held on to the lead to move to the top of the group on six points.