Penalty kicks lead Korea Women team out of FIFA U-21 championship

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Korea Republic crashed out of the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to France as the reigning Asian and European champions met at the Montreal Olympic Stadium in Monday’s quarter-finals.

The Koreans were given a golden opportunity to break the deadlock just two minutes after into the second half when they were awarded a penalty after Lee Geum-min was tripped in the box by Marine Dafeur.

However Lee So-dam, who had successfully converted spot-kicks in the group stage matches against England and Mexico, failed to make it a hat-trick after being superbly denied by France keeper Solane Durand, who then bravely blocked at the feet of Namgung Yeji as the Korea Republic substitute looked to pounce on the rebound.

With neither side being able to find the net in the remainder of the second half or the 30 minutes of extra time, the match moved into the penalty shootout.

The Koreans got off the worst possible start when the usually-dependable Jan Sel-gi, the reigning AFC Women’s Youth Player of the Year and top scorer and MVP as the Koreans claimed the 2013 AFC U-19 Women’s Championship, missed the opening penalty, allowing Sandie Toletti to give France the initiative.

Oh Yeon-hee made it 1-1 before the tide looked to be turning in favor of the East Asians as Dafeur struck her spot-kick against the crossbar.

Successful conversions from Kim Hye-yeong and Griedge Mbock Bathy made the score 2-2 but a miss from Namgung put the French in the driving seat and after goals from Eve Perisset and Lee Sub-in, Claire Lavogez held her nerve to score the decisive penalty as France emerged 4-3 winners to set up a semi-final showdown with Germany.

“First of all, I’d like to thank all my players for their efforts and their great play,” Korea Republic coach Jong Song-chong told IraqiNews.com.

“They executed our plans well and did their best throughout the match. I’m regretful that we didn’t win but I’m very proud of my players and feel they did everything we asked of them. I had seen France’s games before this one and, based on those, I can appreciate how great they are.

“But I also believe my team to be great and I think we showed that today. My only regret is the result. In the game of football, there are some good things and some bad things and unfortunately our penalty kicks didn’t work out. But the players went with their instincts and I can’t complain about that.” /End/