Young Filipinas Receive Harsh Reality Check as Rampant NoKor Breezes Through Semis

The Philippines were sent back to earth Thursday afternoon in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup by a rampant North Korea, who scored six goals without reply to breeze through to the semifinals at the Bali United Training Centre in Gianyar.

A fourteen-minute stretch in the first half undid all the defensive work for the Teen Filipinas as they were brought back down to earth by the Hermit Kingdom, who were the first team to book their place in the last four after securing their second straight shutout, having beaten their southern counterparts in their opener with seven unanswered goals.

Midfielder Jon Il-Chong needed just ten minutes for her first-half brace, which began with an open header from a misguided clearance by Jael Guy in the 16th minute. Then, Jon turned provider eight minutes later, putting in a cross which was converted by forward Kang Ryu-Mi.

Jon completed her double in the 27th minute from a cross by Pak Il-Sim to beat Bri Baker, who then added North Korea’s fourth a minute after the half-hour mark.

Sinisa Cohadzic’s ladies were outmatched in nearly every aspect, holding less than 20% of the ball and managing only two shots for the entire match, all of which were on target from outside the box.

Choe Chong-Gum then made it 5-0 three minutes after the restart. Afterwards, it was an improved defensive showing for the Filipinas for the rest of the match, aiming to minimize the damage to their goal difference.

However, substitute Son Jo-Ye then scored the final goal deep into injury time, beating Caidy Nelson with a floating flick past Baker’s near post.

With South Korea’s 12-0 rout to eliminate hosts Indonesia at Wayan Dipta later on, the Teen Filipinas’ May 12 affair at the Training Centre becomes a must-win one.

Philippines WU17: Baker (GK), Mathelus (Collins 57’), Dizon, Guy (Bradley 84’), Rivera (Nelson 57’), Pidding, Markey, Sia © (Alberto 38’), Villapando (Evangelista 84’), Alamo, Villasin

North Korea WU17: Pak Ju-Gyong (GK), Ri Ye-Gyong, Jon Il-Chong, So Ryu-Gyong (Jo Un-Bom 77’), Ho Kyong (Choe Il-Som), Choe Rim-Jong, Kang Ryu-Mi (Son Jo-Ye 77’), Pak Il-Sim (Choe Chong-Gum 46’), Ri Pom, Ri Kuk-Hyang ©, Ro Un-Hyang (Choe Yon-A 46’)