U.S. Under-17 WNT team out of World Cup after losing three-way tiebreak

BAKU, Azerbaijan (Sept. 29, 2012) – The U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team drew with Korea DPR 1-1 to finish undefeated in Group B play with five points at the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. In an extremely rare occurrence, North Korea and France also finished with five points, but as both ended group play with a superior goal difference over the Americans, the USA was eliminated from the tournament.

The top two finishers in each of the four groups advance to quarterfinal stage. Korea DPR, France and the USA all tied their matches against each other, but North Korea and France move on to the quarterfinal stage as the deciding factor in the group ended up being who could score more goals against Gambia.

In Saturday’s other group match, France defeated Gambia 10-2 and finished with an eight-goal difference. North Korea scored 11 goals against Gambia to win the group and the USA mustered six scores against Gambia.

With just under 20 minutes left in both Group B matches that kicked off at the same time, the USA was locked in a 1-1 battle with North Korea while France led Gambia 4-2. France then reeled off six goals in 19 minutes to move past the USA on goal difference and into the second spot in the group while earning a quarterfinal berth.

The Group B results marked the first time ever that three teams in one group finished with five points at a FIFA Under-17 World Cup. Korea DPR advances to its third straight U-17 quarterfinal after winning the event in 2008 and taking fourth place in 2010. France advances to its first U-17 World Cup quarterfinal stage.

Darian Jenkins scored the USA’s lone goal early and goalkeeper Jane Campbell made seven saves against a Korea DPR team that outshot the Americans 22-10.

The match started with frenetic pace as both teams traded goals in the opening minutes. Jenkins scored in the second minute off an Amber Munerlyn cross from the right corner. Running toward the left post, Jenkins deftly volleyed the looping ball with her left foot to the inside right netting for a 1-0 lead. The goal was her first of the tournament.

Korea DPR responded two minutes later as Ri Un Sim trapped a deep pass from Jon So Yon in the box, turned and fired to the right side of the net for her fifth goal of the U-17 Women’s World Cup. The goal was the first and only score allowed by the USA in the tournament after shutting out France 0-0 and Gambia 6-0 in the first two Group B matches.

Korea DPR had a great look at goal in the 55th minute on a semi-breakaway when Choe Yun Gyong received the ball on the left with room to go toward goal. Instead of shooting, she cut to her right and Mandy Freeman recovered to block her shot.

In the 86th minute, the U.S. came close to scoring a go-ahead tally – and a goal that would have put the team through to the quarterfinals – when Morgan Andrews struck a free kick from about 35 yards out that hit the crossbar near the upper left corner. The USA could not get on the rebound and crafty North Korea did well to kill the rest of the game.

Additional Notes:

• The U.S. U-17s did not lose a single international game this year. Their overall record in 2012 is 13-0-4.
• U.S. head coach Albertin Montoya made three starting lineup changes from the victory against Gambia. Captain Morgan Andrews, who got a rest for the previous group match, started in the midfield and Gabbi Miranda and Mandy Freeman started in the defense. Freeman sustained an injury to her head in the scoreless draw against France on Sept. 22 and had to be subbed out in the early minutes.
• Heading into the USA’s final group match, FIFA ruled that one of Summer Green’s three goals against Gambia was an own goal by Amie Jarju. Green officially has three hat tricks in 2012, all coming during World Cup Qualifying.
• U.S. goalkeeper Jane Campbell allowed only her second goal in 13 international matches this year.

– U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team Match Report –

Match: U-17 Women’s National Team vs. Korea DPR
Date: Sept. 29, 2012
Competition: 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup; Group B
Venue: Bayil Stadium; Baku, Azerbaijan
Kickoff: 8 a.m. ET (5 p.m. local)
Attendance: 2,500
Weather: 78 degrees, sunny, warm

Scoring Summary:  1 2 F
USA                         1 0 1
PRK                         1 0 1

USA – Darian Jenkins (Amber Munerlyn) 2nd minute
PRK – Ri Un Sim (Jon So Yon)               4

Lineups:
USA: 1-Jane Campbell; 3-Brittany Basinger, 5-Maddie Bauer, 12-Mandy Freeman, 7-Gabbi Miranda; 10-Morgan Andrews (capt.) (9-Lauren Kaskie, 90), 17-Andi Sullivan (16-Morgan Stanton, 82), 11-Toni Payne; 6-Summer Green, 8-Amber Munerlyn (2-Emily Bruder, 86), 21-Darian Jenkins
Subs not used: 4-Joanna Boyles, 13-Lizzy Raben, 14-Morgan Reid, 15-Claire Wagner, 18-Cassie Miller, 19-Margaret Purce, 20-Morgan Stearns
Head Coach: Albertin Montoya

PRK: 18-Rim Yong Hwa; 4-Choe Sol Gyong, 6-Kim Hyang Mi, 12-Jon So Yon, 7-Choe Yun Gyong, 9-Ri Hyang Sim, 15-Choe Chung Bok (capt.), 16-Ri Un Yong, 17-Kim Un Hwa (11-Kim Phyong Hwa, 74), 10-Ri Un Sim, 19-Ri Kyong Hyang (20-Kim So Hyang, 88)
Subs not used: 1-Jang Yong Sim, 2-Kim Un I, 3-Pak Sun Gyong, 5-Kim Hyang Ran, 8-Choe Hyang Mi, 13-Jo Ryon Hwa, 14-Ri Kum Suk, 21-Jong Un Ha
Head Coach: Hwang Yong Bong

Stats Summary: USA / PRK
Shots: 10 / 22
Shots on Goal: 1 / 8
Saves: 7 / 0
Corner Kicks: 1 / 5
Fouls: 11 / 9
Offside: 2 / 4

Misconduct Summary:
PRK – Choe Sol Gyong (caution)  38th minute
PRK – Kim Hyang Mi (caution)     43
PRK – Choe Yun Gyong (caution) 75
USA – Darian Jenkins (caution)     77

Officials:
Referee: Katalin Kulcsar (HUN)
Assistant Referee 1: Judit Kulcsar (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Monica Lokkeberg (NOR)
Fourth Official: Carina Vitulano (ITA)