Nanjing: Australia took a giant leap towards their first AFC U-19 Women’s Championship knockout stage appearance in over a decade, beating two-time winners Korea Republic 2-0 in Nanjing on Monday.
In persistent rain at the Jiangsu Training Base Stadium, second half goals from Remy Siemsen (picture above) and Princess Ibini gave Australia three crucial points, and a real chance at fulfilling coach Gary van Egmond’s target of 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualification.
The result is a blow to Korea Republic’s semi-final hopes, as Jong Song-chon’s side failed to make the most of a number of a good scoring opportunities, and were ultimately punished.
Australia’s starting side featured three players – Ellie Carpenter, Alex Chidiac and Ibini – who have already appeared for the senior national team, and the Young Matildas started the match confidently.
But they lost Cortnee Vine to injury after just 11 minutes, and Korea Republic – led by the influential Kim So-eun and Sim Seo-hui - began to exert more pressure.
Australian goalkeeper Jada Mathyssen produced a strong save to deny Korea Republic captain Kang Chae-rim in the 23rd minute, before Kim So-eun was denied by the post after tricking her way past two two defenders two minutes later.
In an intriguing and spirited contest, both sides produced their share of half-chances, the Koreans slightly more so, but neither side could find a way to goal before half-time.
In the 52nd minute Korea Republic appealed for a penalty after a collision between Kim So-eun and Mathyssen, but referee Qin Liang was unmoved
Matthysen was again called into action, and again denied the elusive Kim, when the forward outpaced the Australia defence just after the hour mark, as the Koreans turned the screws on an Australian side finding it increasingly difficult to make inroads going forward.
But it was Australia who took the lead in the 72nd minute, when Siemsen was on hand for a tap-in after goalkeeper Kim Yealin spilled Chidiac’s shot after her hard running breached the Korean defence.
Siemsen – who scored 10 goals in two matches to help Australia qualify for the Finals – had endured a relatively quiet afternoon to that point, but she popped up at the crucial moment to give Australia a lead with less than 20 minutes remaining.
Mathyssen again came to the rescue with another close-range save in the dying minutes, before Ibini sealed the win with a 20-metre beauty in added-on time to kick off Australia celebrations.
The win was Australia’s first against Korea Republic in three AFC U-19 Women’s Championship attempts and puts them on course for their first semi-final appearance in the tournament since 2006.
Jong’s Korea Republic side will now face Vietnam on Thursday as they look to salvage their campaign, while Australia are set for a showdown with four-time champions Japan later that night.
Photos: AFC
Source: the-afc.com