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Published 24 October 2024 4 min read
Women's U17

Report: England WU17s 0-4 Korea DPR

Written by:

England Communications

The Young Lionesses finish FIFA U17 World Cup group stage with defeat in Dominican Republic

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England will face Japan in the FIFA WU17 World Cup quarter-finals in Dominican Republic this weekend, after finishing second in their group stage following defeat to Korea DPR on Thursday evening.

In stormy conditions in Santiago, Natalie Henderson’s side went down 4-0 against a strong Korea DPR team – but know their tournament dreams are still very much alive with qualification for the knockout stage already secured after victories in their first two games.

Finishing second in Group C means they take on another Asian contender in Santo Domingo on Sunday, with whoever comes out on top facing either Spain or Ecuador in the semi-finals.

Henderson made six changes for this fixture - one enforced with Omotara Junaid suspended and by the final whistle, all of England’s outfield players had been given a taste of World Cup action across the group fixtures, and will have had an invaluable experience whatever the tournament ultimately brings.

It was Korea who seized the initiative in a match that began in incessant rain. They broke the deadlock on ten minutes after surging down England’s right-hand side before a low cross into the box was met superbly by Kang Ryu-Mi to fire beyond Hope McSheffrey.


Eva Gray shows close control as the Young Lions round off their group stage
Eva Gray shows close control as the Young Lions round off their group stage
Eight minutes later, their lead was doubled as the impressive Choe Il-son, the Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner when Korea won the WU20 World Cup in September, was played in to score from close range after a loose England pass in midfield.

Korea appealed in vain for a penalty just after the half-hour mark but the referee overruled their VAR challenge. Despite that boost, England faced an uphill task to stay in the tie. They started to push forward as the half wore on, although in truth failed to find a single effort on target.

The Asian champions started with the same intent after the break, but England kept going. Olivia Johnson, a half-time substitute, brought some energy to the attack but Niamh Peacock still needed to be alert just after the hour with a late block that stopped what seemed a certain scoring opportunity for Korea.

It was to be three on 69 minutes, after a VAR review saw Zara Shaw adjudged to have fouled in the area. England then reviewed Kuk-Hyang Ri’s successful spot-kick for encroachment, but the appeal was denied.

Korea added a quickfire fourth when Ho Kyong raced through to score. Another England VAR appeal, this time for a claim of handball against the goalscorer, was again waved away by the referee.

The Young Lionesses never let their heads drop, although there was to be the worry of the ever-willing Lauryn Thompson having to be substituted with an injury just before the end. Henderson’s squad will aim to recover and regroup, knowing they still have every chance in Sunday’s showdown.

England: 1 Hope McSheffrey (Arsenal), 2 Nelly Las (Leicester City), 5 Zara Shaw (Liverpool), 15 Niamh Peacock (Arsenal), 19 Eva Gray (Arsenal), 4 Laila Harbert (Arsenal) (c), 7 Erica Parkinson (FC Valadares), 14 Emily Cassap (Sunderland), 7 Lauryn Thompson (Indy Eleven), 11 Lola Brown (Chelsea), 18 Isabella Fisher (Arsenal/Ipswich Town)

Substitutes: 9 Olivia Johnson (Brighton & Hove Albion) for Fisher 46, 12 Sophie Harwood (Arsenal) for Las 63, 10 Vera Jones (Chelsea) for Harbert 63, 16 Simone Sherwood (Leicester City) for Shaw 84, 20 Jane Oboavwoduo (Manchester City) for Thompson 90

Substitutes not used:  21 Eva Spencer (Liverpool), 3 Rachel Maltby (Aston Villa),  6 Cecily Wellesley-Smith (Arsenal/Oxford United), 13 Rebekah Dowsett (Leicester City)

Head coach: Natalie Henderson