*This content was translated by AI.
The quest for the World Cup finals by the team led by Lee Da-young came to a halt at the quarterfinal stage. Hamstrung by a crucial missed penalty kick and a regretful goal conceded from a set piece, they were unable to overcome the wall of their archrival Japan.
The South Korean U-17 women's national team, led by head coach Lee Da-young, suffered a 0-1 defeat to Japan in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-17 Women's Asian Cup held at the Taihu Football Sports Center in Suzhou, China, on the afternoon of the 11th (Korean time).
As a result, South Korea failed to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, which is awarded to the top four teams in the tournament.
South Korea fielded the same lineup as in their match against North Korea earlier that day. The 4-2-3-1 formation featured Im Ji-hye (Ulsan Hyundai Cheongun Middle School), who skipped a grade to play as a middle school student, leading the front line, with Baek Seo-young (Gyeongnam Robot High School), Kim Min-seo, and Jang Ye-jin (both Ulsan Hyundai High School) positioned in the second line. The midfield was guarded by captain Han Geuk-hee (Pohang Girls' High School) and Choi Se-eun, while the defensive line was formed by Woo Seo-yeon (both Gyeongnam Robot High School), Park Na-young (Ulsan Hyundai High School), Choi Ji-yeon (Ulsan Hyundai High School), and Kwon Hyo-ri (Gyeongnam Robot High School). Goalkeeper Lee Seung-a (Ulsan Hyundai High School) wore the gloves.
South Korea dominated the early flow of the match. Leveraging intense pressure and a fast tempo, they neutralized Japan's passing game. Although they maintained control throughout the first half with spirited play, they failed to capitalize on several opportunities, including a free kick situation, and ended the first half in a 0-0 draw.
South Korea's offensive pressure intensified in the second half. In the 4th minute, a decisive shot by Im Ji-hye from inside the box was saved by the opposing goalkeeper. In the 22nd minute, Im Ji-hye struck the goal again, but the ball unfortunately went wide of the net.
In the 24th minute of the second half, they seized a crucial opportunity. Im Ji-hye won a penalty kick, but the shot taken by captain Han Geuk-hee as the kicker was blocked by the goalkeeper's hands, squandering the chance to take the lead.
Japan, having survived the crisis, decided the match with a single set-piece play in the 29th minute of the second half. A precise right-footed curling shot by Higurashi Lara from outside the penalty box found the back of the Korean net.
Head coach Lee Da-young immediately made several substitutions following the goal and launched a full-scale attack, but an equalizer never materialized. The Asian Cup journey for Lee Da-young's team came to a regretful end at the quarterfinals.
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*This content was translated by AI.
