Group B
Korea DPR goals: Kim (75, 90+8) Cameroon goal: Tiwa (45+2)
Korea DPR struck a 98th-minute winner to clinch victory over Cameroon. The African side took a shock lead on the stroke of half-time when Lys Tiwa headed in after Ange Tazanou’s shot was parried by goalkeeper Kim Son-gyong.
Korea DPR steadily applied pressure in the second half in search of a leveller. They finally got their reward when Ri Ui-gyong set up Kim Won-sim to slide home a first-time finish. The title holders then steadfastly hunted another goal but Cameroon held firm and looked set to bank a precious point. There was to be incredible late drama, however, as Kim headed in another Ri cross to secure maximum points and a knockout round berth for Korea DPR.
"It didn't work out very well from the start, so it was very difficult for me. But I did my best and we did everything, we each believed in each other. I was determined to run and run until the last minute of the match, and I trusted in the coaches and my team-mates." Kim Won-sim, Korea DPR forward
feel disappointed and frustrated. We gave it everything, we deserved something, but we came away with nothing. We lost, but we also learned a lot. We need to stay focused and keep believing, because we have faith. It’s not over yet: if we manage to beat Mexico, we’ll have three points and can still hope to qualify." Jessica Mabou, Cameroon goalkeeper
"I feel disappointed - that’s the nature of the game. We had prepared our players because we expected that kind of physical resistance from the (Koreans). Unfortunately, it’s youth, and when the opposing machine got rolling, we broke down. Sadly, we lost just a few minutes before the end, it’s really disappointing." Josephine Ndoumou, Cameroon head coach
Mexico goal: Reyes (87)
A stunning, long-range strike from Citlalli Reyes earned Mexico a dramatic victory over the Netherlands.
The first half belonged to Mexico, as they twice hit the woodwork. A long-range attempt from Alexa Martinez glanced off the post, before Dafne Sanchez’s looping effort was tipped onto the crossbar by Netherlands goalkeeper Maren Groothoff.
The Dutch got a break just shy of the hour-mark when Vanessa Paredes took down Sophie Van Hunnik as the last defender on a breakaway, reducing Mexico to ten players.
Now the pressure was on Mexico shot-stopper Valentina Murrieta, but she responded well and kept the Netherlands at bay. Just when it looked like the two sides would share the spoils, Reyes unfurled her right-footed rocket from way outside the area to give her side the full points.
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