North Korea 2
United States
KEY POINTS:
North Korea's amazing record in women's age-group soccer tournaments hit another high with their stunning extra time win in Fifa's Under-17 Women's World Cup at North Harbour Stadium yesterday.
Down by a goal after just 1m 42s - and that credited as an own goal - the Koreans needed almost 75 minutes to claw their way back to 1-1 and take the game into a tense period of extra time.
The winning goal, scored by substitute Jang Hyon Sun nine minutes after her introduction and eight minutes into the second period, sparked scenes of joy for the red-shirted players and their supporters.
It was a body-blow for the Americans who had gone into the match as slight favourites.
But on what basis? The Koreans are unbeaten at under-20 and under-17 in tournaments stretching back to 2006. Draws with Ghana and Germany in pool play have been their only dropped points.
But, when Cloee Colohan's long throw launched the Americans into that early lead, the Koreans faced only their second come-from-behind challenge of the tournament.
They fell a goal behind to Germany in their last pool match but grabbed the crucial 59th-minute equaliser which they needed to secure a place in the last eight. In their two earlier post-section matches they were never behind.
Colohan stunned the North Koreans when, with a long throw from the right, she sent the ball into the penalty area where its flight deceived defenders. The ball bounced, looping over the keeper, and appeared to go directly into the goal. But Peruvian referee Silvia Reyes ruled the ball had brushed through goalkeeper Hong Myong Hui's hands taking the crucial deflection to become an own goal.
Without any touch by the Korean the "goal" would not have stood.
Stung, but remaining as composed as the situation would allow, the Koreans battled away creating half chances - and some near misses from long range - but without getting the breakthrough goal they sought.
Ho Un Byol had a shot saved by Taylor Vancil and another which hit the crossbar. She continued to harry and chase and was again denied when her shot after a great run from substitute Kim Un Ju was smothered by Vancil.
In the 76th minute the Koreans were rewarded for their unflagging efforts when a long-range free kick from Ri Un Ae, another substitute, hit the underside of the crossbar. The ball bounced down and out to Kim, who hooked the ball back over her head to Kim Un Hyang, who beat Vancil with a header.
Both teams had half chances in extra time but the decisive strike came with seven minutes to play when a long ball split the US defence, allowing Jang to unleash her goal.
The Americans continued to battle, with Sam Mewis coming closest, but they could sense that it was a lost cause.
In the bronze play-off Germany justified their status as favourites with a comfortable 3-0 win over England despite the English having the greater share of possession.
Ahead 1-0 after nine minutes, the Germans were rarely threatened as they added two second-half goals to claim a consolation medal.
