Saturday was the seventh day of matches and start of the knockout stages for the U20 Women’s World Cup in Canada.
Korea DPR 1 – 1 USA (Korea DPR 3-1 on penalties) (Toronto)
The defending U20 Women’s World Cup champions were knocked out of the tournament Saturday as Korea DPR defeated the USA 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. This marks only the second time the USA were knocked out of a U20 Women’s World Cup in the quarterfinals, the earliest stage the team has ever exited the tournament.
The USA had faced Korea DPR twice before in the U20 Women’s World Cup, defeating them both times. The very early stages of this match gave the impression that they would be able to continue that streak. It took merely twelve seconds for the USA to create an offensive attack and create their first chance on goal. Korea DPR’s goalkeeper was able to save the attempt, but the USA kept considerable pressure on the defense.
That offensive pressure paid off when, in the 6th minute, when Mallory Pugh took off down the right flank. Her touch took bounce off of a Korea DPR defender, but she was able to regain possession and send a low cross to Mackenzy Doniak who had slipped in past the defense and was wide open in front of the net. Doniak’s first shot was blocked, but the rebound fell right to her feet and she was able to put it past Korea DPR’s goalkeeper to give the USA an early 1-0 lead.
While the USA was by far the dominant side leading up to the first goal, they had to fight considerably to hold onto their 1-0 lead going into the half. Korea DPR was determined to equalize, upping their game on both sides of the ball, effectively shutting down the USA while creating their own offensive chances. Their first chance came in the 18th minute off a free kick by Jon So Yon that was struck very well, but bounced off the top of the crossbar.
Their best chance, however, came off of a goal kick by Kim Chol Ok that missed everybody in the midfield and took a bounce over the entire USA back line. The ball found Ri Un Sim who was all alone after getting a jump on the USA defense. Ri raced toward the goal for a one on one opportunity with goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland when she spotted Rowland coming off her line. Ri attempted the chip the ball over Rowland and into the net, but it landed on top instead.
The second half started with the USA lacking a lot of the energy they had started the match with. While the wet weather may have played a factor, credit to Korea DPR for handling possession better and forcing the USA to run down balls and chase the play all over the field.
Korea DPR’s efforts were rewarded in the 53rd minute. Rowland came out to try to intercept a cross but missed. The ball went right to Ri whose shot toward the empty net was blocked by the arm of Stephanie Amack. The resulting penalty was taken by Jon, and while not an overly strong penalty was partially blocked by Rowland, but managed to slip past to even the score 1-1.
The remainder of regulation time provided several opportunities for both sides to get a winner but neither could convert. Ri was left unmarked on a set piece but headed what appeared to be a sure goalscoring opportunity wide of the net. Pugh also had an opportunity on a near perfect ball from Doniak, but her volley went off target. The 30 minutes of extra time saw few chances for a potential winner and the match would go to penalties.
In a game where, in theory, penalties are made more than missed, only one out of the first five penalties from either side were converted with Jon So Yon finding the back of the net for Korea DPR. Amack would be the only player from the USA to make her shot. Rim Se Ok would convert on her chance, sending Korea DPR to the semifinals.
Korea DPR will play the winner of the Nigeria vs New Zealand match in the semifinals on August 20 in Moncton.
Germany 2 – 0 Canada (Edmonton)
In what was a fairly even and well fought match, host nation Canada saw their U20 Women’s World Cup run come to an end as they were defeated by Germany 2-0 in Edmonton. Two time tournament winners Germany advance to the semifinals while Canada, despite being eliminated, looked much improved from their group stage play.
Both teams had chances early as Canada’s Emma Fletcher had a well struck ball from outside the box go off the crossbar and Germany’s Theresa Panfill was unable to find the back of the net on a header. Germany would find success, however, in the 24th minute showcasing their speed and clinical ability. Lena Petermann flicked a ball on to Pauline Bremer who had blown by Canada’s defense. Bremer dribbled around goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan but took the ball too wide to guarantee a goal and was able to calmly cut back around Sheridan again to improve her angle and give Germany a 1-0 lead.
The goals seemed to turn a switch in both teams as the remainder of the half showed immense effort with Germany doing everything in their power to extend the lead while Canada fought hard to prevent them doing so and created offensive chances of their own. Canada’s defensive efforts paid off as Petermann volleyed a ball that looked sure to prove troublesome for Canada only to be denied by an outstanding block by Rebecca Quinn that just caught a piece of the ball. The score would remain 1-0 at the half.
The second half started with Germany once again showcasing their clinical prowess as they found themselves on the offensive side of a four on two opportunity in the 51st minute. Germany calmly passed the ball around the scrambling defenders before taking a wide open shot in front of net that surely would have doubled Germany’s lead had it not been for Sheridan who made an amazing point blank save that allowed Canada to clear out the rebound.
For the next 25 minutes or so, Canada would have the majority of offensive opportunities with one of their best opportunities 67th minute as Janine Beckie sent the ball across the box to a wide open Fletcher who brought the ball down and beat her defender to go one on one with Germany goalkeeper Meike Kamper. Fletcher’s touch went a little long and Kamper made the daring decision to come out against a sliding Fletcher to take it off her feet.
Canada’s defense would come to the rescue again in the 78th minute as Germany attempted a dangerous cross in the box but an amazing effort by Kadeisha Buchanan put a stop to the offensive attack. Germany would once again find the back of the net, though as Rebecca Knaak sent a header off a corner kick past Sheridan, giving Germany a 2-0 lead in the 82nd minute.
Canada had an opportunity to get a goal back only a minute later as substitute Amandine Pierre-Louis found herself on a breakaway, but slid the ball just wide of the goal. Germany would go on to win 2-0, but both teams played a well fought match which had the potential to have a much different result.
Germany advances to the semifinals and will take on the winner of the France vs Korea Republic match on Wednesday in Moncton.
Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
