U-20 girls lose to Germany 5-1 in semis

Baseball

Published: 30 Jul. 2010, 22:06

U-20 girls lose to Germany 5-1 in semis

BOCHUM, Germany - South Korea was crushed 5-1 by Germany in the semifinal of the U-20 Women’s World Cup Thursday, failing in its bid to reach the final for the first time in a world tournament.

South Korea’s young players started aggressively. Jung Hae-in got her chance with a cross from a teammate, but her volley missed the target.

Germany took the lead 13 minutes into the game after Svenja Huth netted a goal, followed by Kim Kulig, who tipped in a rebound by South Korean goalie Moon So-ri to give her team the second goal in the first half.

Germany expanded the lead to 4-0 in the second half with successive goals by Kulig and Alexandra Popp.

Five minutes into the second half, Popp footed the ball into the net when her teammate Sylvia Arnold’s shot was blocked by Moon. Three minutes later, Kulig’s shot went over the goal line as Moon fumbled the ball in heavy rain.

Striker Ji So-yun of South Korea pulled one goal back in the 64th minute before the game ended 5-1.

She dribbled past three German defenders and shot past German goalkeeper Almuth Shult after missing a chance four minutes before.

Minutes before the final whistle, Popp scored her team’s fifth goal on a penalty given for handling by a South Korean defender.

Ji is one of the favorites for the tournament’s top scorer with seven goals, along with Popp, who leads with nine goals. Both players have been nominated for the best player’s award, the Golden Ball.

The South Korean players have become a sensation at home, with their possession-oriented tactics, well-executed passes and daring attacks giving them a total of 12 goals so far. They are the first South Korean women’s team to reach the semifinal of an international football tournament.

South Korea will compete Sunday in a match for third place.

Yonhap

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