Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Trabzon: Korea Republic joined fellow Asians Iraq and Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2013 after beating Colombia 8-7 in an epic penalty shootout at the Huseyin Avni Aker Stadium on Wednesday.
The nervy win in Trabzon for the Koreans has ensured a rematch of the AFC U-19 Championship 2012 final as they will be facing familiar opponents Iraq in the quarter-final after the Mesopotamian Lions knocked Paraguay out with a 1-0 extra time win.
The Asian U-19 champions’ goalkeeper Lee Changguen was the star performer for the Koreans as he saved a penalty from Felipe Aguilar to amend goalscorer Song Juhun’s missed penalty. Apart from those misses, the other eight Korean players converted from the spot and with Deivy Balanta blasting the ball off the target, Korea managed to progress.
Earlier, Korea Republic stunned the pre-tournament favourite Colombians by taking the lead after just 16 minutes. When Colombia could not effectively clear Kim Sunwoo's free-kick, Kwon Changhoon headed back into the box for Song to sweep into the corner.
The Koreans had a nervy late period where Colombia, in a desperate search of an equaliser, continued their series of onslaught. Defender Balanta, whose missed penalty later ensured a Korean win, hit the upright with just two minutes remaining while Juan Quintero's powerful drive was palmed away by goalkeeper Changguen before Quintero stunned the Koreans with a master-class freekick which left Changguen standing still as it was the last kick of the match.
Quintero forced the match into extra-time where both sides failed to create any noteworthy opportunity forcing the match into the penalty shootout.
Photo: AFP