South Korea’s U-17 women’s soccer team is headed to the World Cup after a multi-goal performance from Kasey Paire earned the team a narrow victory over China.
Kim Eun-jung’s U-17 women’s team defeated China 2-1 in the third-place match of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2024 at the Kapten Wayan Dipta Stadium in Bali, Indonesia, on Monday (Sept. 19) behind a brilliant performance from Casey Fair, who scored twice.
The victory earned South Korea a World Cup ticket, which is awarded to the top three finishers in the tournament, and a spot at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic in October. This will be South Korea’s first appearance at the U-17 Women’s World Cup in six years since the 2018 tournament.
South Korea finished second in Group A with four points (one win, one draw, and one loss), finishing ahead of the Philippines, who tied on goal difference (South Korea +5, Philippines -1). After a 0-3 loss to top-ranked Japan in the quarterfinals, South Korea showed better organization in the third- and fourth-place games to knock off host China and secure a World Cup berth.
Kim deployed her best squad, including the Casey pair, in the three-legged tie with a World Cup ticket on the line. Up front, Casey and Won Ju-eun (Ulsan Hyundai High School) were the two top players, while the midfield consisted of Min Min-jung (Gyeongnam Robot High School), Beom Ye-joo (Gwangyang Women’s High School), Nam Sarang, and Baek Ji-eun (Ulsan Hyundai High School). The back four consisted of Park Ji-yu (Yesung Girls’ High School), Noh Si-eun, Shin Sung-hee, and Shin Dain (Ulsan Hyundai High School). In goal was Usumin (Pohang Women’s College).
South Korea, who pushed China hard from the start, set the tone in the 12th minute when Beom Ye-Joo’s shot hit the post. The first goal came just a minute after hitting the post. After strong forward pressure forced the ball out of the opponent’s half, Casey converted a pass from Won Ju-eun with a non-stop shot that split the net. Casey’s first goal of the tournament came at the most crucial time.
After the goal, South Korea let their guard down for a moment and had two crucial chances in quick succession, but the opponent’s shot went just wide of 스포츠토토 the goal. However, South Korea regrouped and went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
Kim made changes to the right flank in the second half. He took off right wingers and defenders Baek Ji-Eun and Shin Dain and brought on Hankook Hee and Ryu Ji-Hae. The youngest player, born in 2009, didn’t look intimidated among her older sisters and energized the team with her precise passing and individual skills.
After holding onto a slim lead, South Korea conceded the equalizer in the 36th minute of the second half. Substitute Dong Yujie of China broke down the left flank and struck a left-footed shot from the edge of the box that deflected off the side of goalkeeper Usman Usman’s head and into the net.
With the game somewhat stale, Casey stepped up to the plate again. Three minutes after conceding the equalizer, Casey scored again in the 39th minute of the second half to put the hosts ahead. After intercepting a backpass from an opposing defender, Casey’s first attempt was blocked by a tackle, but her second shot found the back of the net. South Korea then celebrated as they held off the Chinese offense for the remainder of the match.