USA falls 3-0 to North Korea in FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

COLONIA DEL SACRAMENTO, Uruguay (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team fell 3-0 to a strong Korea DPR side in the second Group C match for both teams at the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.

The loss means the USA is likely facing a must-win scenario against Germany in its group finale on Nov. 21 in Montevideo (3 p.m. ET on FS2 & telemundodeportes.com) to advance to the quarterfinals.

After a strong performance in the opener against Cameroon, the U.S. ran into a committed North Korean team which, despite handily out-shooting Germany, was stung by a 4-1 loss to the European power in its first game. Although the USA had a slight edge in possession, the physical Koreans did far more with the ball and were on the front foot for most of the match.

The U.S. defense held strong during the run of play, backed by another excellent game from goalkeeper Angelina Anderson, but set plays proved to be the USA’s undoing as Korea DPR scored all three of its goals off corner kicks. The 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup champions scored on three of their five corner kicks in the match.

Ri Kum Hyang scored after a scramble in the penalty area in the 25^th minute, Kim Yun Ok scored directly off a header in the 32 ^nd and Kim Kyong Yong put the game away in the 52^nd. The first two goals came off Korea DPR’s first two corner kicks of the game.

Goal Scoring Rundown
PRK – Ri Kum Hyang (Kim Kyong Yong), 25th minute
On a corner kick from the right side, the USA couldn’t clear the ball and North Korea got three cracks at goal, all of which were blocked. The fourth chance was struck on the ground through traffic past a sliding U.S. defender and into the lower right corner from 12 yards out. USA 0, PRK 1

PRK – Kim Yun Ok (An Kuk Hyang), 32nd minute
The Koreans’ second goal also came off a corner kick from the right side. Kim Yun Ok darted open at the top of the six-yard box to redirect a well struck header into the goal, doubling the lead. USA 0, PRK 2

PRK – Kim Kyong Yong ( Pak Hye Gyong) 52 ^nd minute
On a corner kick from the left side, the USA let the service bounce inside the penalty area. Kim Kyong Yong did well to smoothly collect the ball and make space for her shot before driving her chance into the lower right corner from 16 yards out.

Additional Notes:

• Three second half substitutes — forwards Trinity Rodman and Jordan Canniff and midfielder Mia Fishel — helped push the USA to a better second half, but the USA did not force goalkeeper Yu Son Gum to make a save.
• The USA failed to score for just the second time in 20 games this year and only the second time during the entire cycle.
• The USA awaits the result of today’s other Group C match between Germany and Cameroon to have a better idea of the result it will need against Germany on Nov. 21 to earn qualification for the knockout stage.

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

Match: U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team vs. Korea DPR U-17 WNT
Date: November 17, 2018
Competition: 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup; Group C
Venue: Estadio Alberto Suppici; Colonia Del Sacramento, Uruguay
Attendance: TBD
Kickoff: 12 p.m. ET (2 p.m. local)
Weather: 70 degrees; rain

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA                          0 0 0
PRK                          2 1 3

PRK – Ri Kum Hyang (Kim Kyong Yong)         25^th minute
PRK – Kim Yun Ok (An Kuk Hyang)                 32
PRK – Kim Kyong Yong (Pak Hye Gyong)        52

Lineups:
USA: 1-Angelina Anderson; 2-Makenna Morris, 4-Smith Hunter, 5-Triniry Byars, 8-Maya Doms (10-Mia Fishel, 74), 14-Hannah Bebar, 15-Natalia Staude, 16-Payton Linnehan (11-Trinity Rodman, 46), 18-Sunshine Fontes (9-Jordan Canniff, 62), 19-Michela Agresti, 20-Sophia Jones
Substitutes not used: 12-Julia Dohle, 21-Lindsey Romig, 3-Talia Dellaperuta, 17-Samar Guidry, 6-Astrid Wheeler, 7-Samantha Meza, 13-Isabella D’Aquila
Head Coach: Mark Carr

PRK: 18-Yu Son Gum; 3-Ri Sin Ok, 5-Ri Kum Hyang, 6-Ri Su Jong, 7-Ri Su Gyong, 12-Choe Kum Ok (15-Yun Ji Hwa, 55), 13-Ko Kyong Hui (11-O Si Nae, 73), 14-Kim Yun Ok (10-Kim Ryu Song, 78), 16-An Kuk Hyang, 17-Kim Kyong Yong, 20-Pak Hye Gyong
Substitutes: 1-Yun Pyol, 21-Ri Hyon Gyong, 2-Kwak Un Sim, 4-Pong Song Ae, 8-Ryu Sol Song, 9-Pang Un Sim, 19-Pak Il Gyong
Head coach: Song Sung Gwon

Stats Summary: USA / PRK
Shots: 5 / 22
Shots on Goal: 2 / 9
Saves: 6 / 2
Corner Kicks: 1 / 5
Fouls: 4 / 10
Offside: 0 / 1

Misconduct Summary:
PRK – Pak Hye Gyong (caution)       71^st minute

Officials:
Referee: Katalin Kulcsar (HUN)
Assistant Referee 1: Katalin Torok (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Lucie Ratajova (CZE)
4th Official: Anastasia Pustovoytova (RUS)