Photo: AFC/SIMON YAP

KUALA LUMPUR: Korea Republic beat China 4-2 in a penalty shootout to finish third in the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship on Saturday at MPPJ Stadium.

With the scores tied at 1-1 after 90, and then 120 minutes, Korea kept their nerve in the in the shootout to earn Asia’s third and final qualifying berth for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.

Japan and DPR Korea had already qualified for the event by winning their semi-final matches on Wednesday at Shah Alam Stadium.

It was a heart-breaking defeat for China, who beat Korea Republic 3-1 in their group match last week and took the lead on Saturday.

Korea’s resilience won the day as they fought back to draw level and then claim victory by converting all four of the penalty attempts they required.

“It was a critical match for both teams because the winners go on to the World Cup and the losing team will be broken up,” said Korea Republic coach Kim Yong-ho.

“We were luckier than China today. When we lost to them first time we were very nervous but today we played much better and were able to fight back.”

Kim expects to take the bulk of the squad to the World Cup in New Zealand.

“There are also players who couldn’t come to Malaysia because of injury and they can come back into the squad and make us stronger.”

China coach Wang Hong said nerves unsettled her players in the shootout.

“The players did their best but got nervous when it came to the penalties,” she said. “It was a brutal match because only one team would qualify for the World Cup.”

“It is a pity that we have to break up this team but that is football.”

The first real chance of the match came in the 13th minute when Korea Republic were awarded a direct free kick on the edge of China’s penalty area.

Captain Ji So-yun stepped up to take it but her sizzling shot flashed narrowly wide.

Despite Korea’s early pressure, it was China who took the lead. In the 25th minute, defender Ma Jun rose to meet a corner from the right and floated her effort over the head of Korean goalkeeper Lee Han-na, who was starting for the first time in the tournament in place of Jung Bo-ram.

The goal immediately lifted China’s confidence and soon afterwards tall striker Li Wei had a mazy solo run before shooting over from 25 yards.

However, after that initial boost provided by the goal, Korea Republic regained control of midfield, although they were unable to create any decent chances for the rest of the half.

China appeared to be happy to pack their defence and hold on to their lead early in the second half, with Li playing alone up front.

Li nearly gave her team a 2-0 lead on 54 minutes after Korea were once again caught napping on a corner. Li rose to head goalward but Lee got down well to stop the ball and Korea had a few moments of panic before managing to clear the ball to safety.

After that near miss, China decided to push forward more and put pressure on Korea’s defence while pulling players back quickly in case of a counter attack.

Korea Republic, however, knew they had to score no matter what tactics China employed and, 25 minutes into the second half, they finally got the breakthrough.

Substitute Choi Eun-ji took a snapshot from a wide angle12 yards out and the ball beat Chinese goalkeeper Chu Qiao as Korea made it 1-1.

Neither side managed to take control of the match following the equaliser but the Chinese suffered a setback 10 minutes from full-time when Li had to go off injured.

Korea failed to take advantage and the match went into extra time.

Both teams were determined to attack in extra time. Eight minutes into the added 30, Korean defender Shin Mi-na was forced to make a goal-saving tackle, while at the other end, Ji made a great run into the Chinese box before being outnumbered.

There was more caution in the second period of extra time with Korea exerting most of the pressure. Their efforts, however, failed to result in a goal and, after 120 minutes, a penalty shootout was necessary.

Korea Republic’s penalties were converted by Shin Mi-na, Lim Jih-ye, Lee Hyun-young and Ji So-yun.

China scored through Deng Si and An Ning while Yang Li and Gao Qi missed their first two attempts.