England v. Korea Republic 05/11/08

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Koreans Tame Lionesses To Top Group

by Jeremy Ruane

The Korea Republic produced a thrilling display of fleet-footed football to overcome England's Young Lionesses 3-0 at North Harbour Stadium on 5 November, and top Group D at the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Finals.

A marvellous spectacle took place in a FAN-tastic atmosphere, made so by the Korean community's hearty support of their charges, and the numerous England fans there to support the group leaders going into this match. Chants of “England, England” and “Oh Korea”, and variations on same, thundered out at regular intervals - magic stuff!

As was the on-field action, with the gloves of both goalkeepers being warmed inside the first two minutes. Danielle Carter unleashed the first shot after forty-five seconds, while her opposite number, Lee Hyun Young, followed suit within a minute.

Both Lee Hyo Ju and Lauren Davey stood firm in their respective goals, although England's `keeper was relieved to see a looping header from Lee Min Sun land on the roof of her net in the third minute, following a Ji So Yun free-kick.

Four minutes later, Lee Min Sun raced down the right onto a raking clearance from Lee Hyo Ju, and sent a gorgeous cross to the far post, where Lee Eun Kyung was arriving at pace unmarked. How she headed over from point-blank range only she can explain.

The Koreans didn't have long to wait before they broke the deadlock, however. Lee Min Sun was the architect again, shielding the ball smartly before playing the ball inside for Ji So Yun. Her volley should have been easily gathered by Davey, but the `keeper was rather sluggish in her response time, and paid the price, the ball bouncing across and into the net by the far post.

The Korean fans went ballistic - their charges had just scored the first goal England had conceded all tournament. And that eighth minute effort was followed eight minutes later by one of the best headed goals you'll ever see.

Lee Hyun Young fired over a corner from the right. Through the crowd hurtled Koh Kyung Yeon, who launched herself into a full-length diving header to send the ball bulleting past Davey and her defenders before ballooning into the back of the net - 2-0 and what a stunning goal! Breathtaking stuff!!

Straight away, England sought a riposte, with Lauren Bruton racing down the left before setting up Isobel Christiansen for a shot. Lee Hyo Ju saved this twentieth minute effort, then looked on as England captain Jordan Nobbs lashed a forty yarder inches over Korea's crossbar a minute later.

Just after the half-hour mark, a Nobbs free-kick

wasn't cleared, allowing Christiansen a close-range shot at goal which was destined for the back of the net until goalscorer Koh blocked the effort to safety.

Five minutes later, the Koreans were back on attack, Lee Eun Kyung playing the ball forward for Lee Min Sun, who initially got the better of Jodie Jacobs. But England's centre half, who has been one of the tournament's outstanding defenders, underlined the fact when executing a superbly timed recovering tackle to thwart the striker in her tracks - brilliant stuff!

The pony-tailed defender was on hand to spare England's blushes again on the stroke of half-time, heading clear a cross from Lee Min Sun after the striker had evaded the clutches of Naomi Chadwick. How they will miss their defensive rock in their next match, a result of Jacobs picking up her second booking of the tournament in this game.

Chadwick was done an absolute treat in the 51st minute, this time by Lee Hyun Young. Her low angled cross found Lee Min Sun arriving eight yards out with just the `keeper to beat … only the striker can explain how she contrived to hit the crossbar from this range.

Korea's nimbleness, fleetness of foot and fluidity of movement were a stark contrast to England's more structured, measured and predictable playing style, but it was the latter approach which held sway in the 63rd minute.

Nobbs played the ball wide to Bruton, who jinked inside two opponents before playing the ball in to Carter. She was crowded out, but with Bruton's assistance, managed to get the ball back to Nobbs, who battered a twenty-five yarder just over the bar.

After Lee Min Sun had struck the stanchion behind Davey's goal, she was at the heart of a 67th minute move which deserved a goal. Ji So Yun cleverly avoided the sliding challenge of Christiansen, and played the ball wide to Lee, whose inviting cross arced just too far in front of Lee Hyun Young.

England picked up the pieces and promptly barrelled downfield, Bruton and substitute Lucy Staniforth leading the charge. Their neat one-two allowed the former to race on before crossing for Carter, whose shot was blocked by Oh Yu Sun for a corner.

Nobbs' delivery picked out Gemma Bonner, whose header careered over the crossbar, moments before Carter evaded two Korean challenges and let fly, only to see Lee Hyo Ju smother her shot low by her near post.

The Koreans charged downfield once more, this time earning a free-kick. Shin Mi Na hoisted it

towards the far post, where Song Ari rose over all-comers to somehow find space between Davey and the upright to head home a third Korean goal - 3-0!

England were stunned, and the Korean fans … let your imagination run riot as to how they reacted to the goal! But their joy was tempered somewhat soon after when Lee Min Sun was carried from the field with an ankle injury, the victim of a late tackle which went unpunished by Cameroon referee Damgoua Neguel.

As the Koreans reeled from this blow, England forced a corner, which Nobbs delivered into the goalmouth. Lee Hyo Ju spilled the ball - Lucy Bronze's flailing elbow no doubt assisted England's cause here - allowing Staniforth to launch into a bicycle kick which Oh Yu Sun blocked on the line. Korea scrambled the danger to safety,

Six minutes from time, Ji So Yun had Bonner doing the twist inside her own penalty area as the striker looked to find space in which to shoot. The defender stood her ground well, however, and her efforts allowed England to counter-attack seconds later.

Again, Bruton was the outlet, Staniforth sending her to the left flank by-line at pace, from where she whipped in an inviting pullback. No-one in a white shirt was on hand to take up the invitation to shoot, a situation similar to what was to unfold three minutes later, when Rebecca Jane and Bronze combined on the right with Christiansen, who dummied the ball, not realising Carter was nowhere nearby.

Back came the Koreans, a delightful solo run from Lee Hyun Young taking her past three opponents before unleashing a twenty yard chip onto the roof of the net. The same player was England's nemesis twice more before the final whistle, setting up Ji So Yun for a shot which she sliced wide, before going it alone once more prior to Davey's intervention.

That was the last act of the match, one which the Koreans will remember fondly, and celebrated accordingly. But they weren't alone in being delighted at the final whistle, as despite this defeat, England also advanced to the quarter-finals, results elsewhere ensuring their passage to the last eight and a clash with Japan, with the USA standing between Korea Republic and the semi-finals.

England: Davey; Bronze, Jacobs (booked, 89), Bonner, Chadwick; Wiltshire (Staniforth, 66), Nobbs, Carter (Eli, 90), Christiansen, Bruton; Jane

Korea Rep.: Lee Hyo Ju; Shin Mi Na, Oh Yu Sun, Koh Kyung Yeon, Seo Hyun Sook; Ji So Yun, Song Ari (Park Hee Young, 75), Oh Hye Jin, Lee Eun Kyung; Lee Min Sun (Cho Sun Hwa, 80) (Jeoun Eun Ha, 90), Lee Hyun Young

Referee: Damgoua Neguel (Cameroon)

2008