England snap streak in Korea Republic draw - U-20 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

England snap streak in Korea Republic draw - U-20 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

Match Highlights

(FIFA.com) 06 Aug 2014

Korea Republic and England opened Group C with a 1-1 draw in Moncton after Martha Harris scored a 68th-minute equaliser to cancel out Lee Sodam's first-half penalty. 

Meeting for the first time at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, both sides needed time to grow into the match with a handful of unforced errors on display in the opening stages. After showing an impetuous desire to attack, Korea Republic were rewarded for their attacking efforts when Lee Sodam slotted home a penalty after Jang Selgi's cross from the right struck the hand of defender Aoife Mannion. 

England nearly had an instant reply when Katie Zelem hit the crossbar after Harris created space to cross from the right wing. As the Young Lionesses attempted to grab an equaliser in the first half, gaps opened up for the Koreans to exploit. However, the English defenders, especially Harris and Mannion were resolute and kept the Koreans at bay. The Europeans then had the last significant chance of the half when Nikita Parris' cross-shot was cleared by Korean goalkeeper Min Yukyeong. 

The second half began similarly to the first with both sides having problems keeping effective possession of the ball. Korea Republic's most dangerous chances came from set pieces, but even specialist Lee Sodam could not give the Koreans a two-goal lead.

 And that proved costly when England scored from an indirect free-kick delivered by Zelem in the 68th minute. Korea Republic's keeper Min Yukyeong failed to clear the ball and Harris gladly tapped in the equaliser to score the goal that would eventually end the Young Lionesses' six-match U-20 Women's World Cup losing streak, a run that had stretched back to Chile 2008. 


Korea Republic's best chance of the half came from a Lee Sodam free-kick in the 71st minute that flashed wide. England would have the final effort, though, when Bethany Mead failed to score past Yukyeong after dribbling past two Korean defenders. 

England will next face Mexico on 9 August in Moncton, while Korea Republic will take on Nigeria on the same day. 

Live Your Goals player of the match: Lee Sodam (KOR)