TORONTO – Korea DPR ended the United States’ bid to repeat as the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup champion, outlasting the Americans 3-1 on penalty kicks after their quarterfinal ended in a 1-1 draw on Saturday at National Soccer Stadium (BMO Field).
North Korean goalkeeper Kim Chol Ok saved the Americans’ first three attempts from the spot, while Rim Se Ok netted the clincher on her team’s fourth attempt.
It is the second time in the last three editions of the competition that the U.S. has been eliminated on penalty kicks in the quarterfinal stage. Four years ago, Nigeria advanced 4-2 following another 1-1 stalemate.
Makenzy Doniak had given the CONCACAF champion a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute, latching onto a Mallory Pugh’s right-sided cross and hammering home her own blocked shot to score from inside the six-yard box.
Shortly after the break, the USA’s Stephanie Amack was whistled for a hand ball in her own box. Jon So Yon put the 53rd minute penalty kick off diving goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland’s left hand and into the back of the net to level the score.
Korea DPR could have equalized earlier, but Yon’s 24-yard free kick glanced off the crossbar.
Lindsey Horan had a chance to net a late winner for the U.S., only to follow-up on a rebound of her 83rd minute free kick with an effort that went just wide of the far post.
