Holders DPR Korea booked passage to their second consecutive FIFA U-20
Women's World Cup semifinal yesterday after edging out East Asian neighbors
Japan 2-1.
The win in the Chilean capital set up a mouthwatering last-four date with
France, who beat Nigeria 3-2 on Sunday.
The Japanese, who have many fans in Chile with their stylish and highly
technical brand of soccer, started the brighter side. Kie Koyama made three fine
runs in the first quarter-hour, but failed to find the mark, steering her shots
wide.
Cha Hu Nam punished the Japanese for their profligacy and opened the scoring
for the DPR Korea after 22 minutes, combining well with Ri Jong Sim to score
from close range.
Japan, the more creative of the two sides in the first half, equalized in the
39th minute. Asano Nagasato curled her free-kick from 20 yards around the wall
and into the top corner of the net, leaving keeper Kim Un Ju with no chance to
save.
But DPR Korea came out with increased vigor in the second period, and they
took hold of the tense encounter by the scruff of the neck. Kim Chun Hui tried a
long-range shot early, but failed to find the mark. Captain Ra Un Sim got it
right on the hour mark.
Charging hard up the left side, she roared past three defenders before going
into the box and scoring with her second attempt to make it 2-1.
