Korea DPR midfielder Phyong Hwa Kim’s goal in extra time broke the hearts of the Spanish team and sent them packing with a 3-2 defeat.
The first quarterfinals of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup played at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby went down to the last minutes of the match as both countries were tied 2-2 at fulltime.
With the scores locked at the end of normal time, both teams were given an extra 30 minutes to find a winner, and the first 15 minutes did not find one.
In the second half of extra time, Kim who was outside the pack of players, from a corner kick hit the back of the net, after Spain goalkeeper Maria Quinones punch the ball forward.
Making the 3, 740 spectators, majority of them Papua New Guineans shout in unison, showing their appreciation for the entertaining international football played.
Other goal scorers of the match were Hyo Sim Ju, Hyang Sim Ri, Nahikari Garcia and Lucia Gracia.
Korea DPR got the upper hand of the match, leading 2-1 into half time.
DPR midfielder, Sim headed the Koreans into the lead on the 18th minute, and 12 minutes later Ri’s boot extended the margin with another goal to the one time champions.
Spain striker Nahikari Garcia cut the deficit by one point before the break, scoring from a rebound from DPR goalkeeper Kim Myong Sun.
Spain’s Lucia Gracia levelled the score board 2-2 at the 63rd minute in the second half of normal time.
Spain dominated ball possession in the second half with 57 per cent but failed to keep the Koreans away.
Meanwhile, Japan meets Brazil in the second quarterfinals tonight at the same venue.
Main picture by Troy Taule
Gallery pictures by Kennedy Bani
