South Korea defeated Colombia in a penalty shootout at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup on Wednesday to join Ghana, Chile and Iraq in the quarter-finals.
Having played out a 1-1 draw after extra-time, Colombia were trailing 8-7 in the shootout when defender Deivy Balanta sent the last penalty over the crossbar.
South Korea next play Iraq, who needed extra-time to beat Paraguay 1-0.
Photo: AFP
Ghana and Chile also meet in the quarter-finals after both teams won their round-of-16 matches over 90 minutes earlier in the day. Ghana came from a goal down to beat Portugal 3-2, while two late goals earned Chile a 2-0 victory over Croatia.
Balanta’s spot-kick was not the only one that failed to find the net. Earlier in the shootout, Song Ju-hun missed for South Korea, while Felipe Aguilar saw his attempt saved by goalkeeper Lee Chang-geun.
Song had given South Korea the lead in the 16th minute when he beat goalkeeper Cristian Bonilla with a low shot after the Colombia defense failed to clear from the penalty area.
Photo: AFP
Colombia long pressed for an equalizer and had to wait until the fourth minute of stoppage-time before captain Juan Quintero scored with a fierce free-kick that beat Lee at the near post.
The penalty shootout soon became inevitable as neither side was willing to take any risks by pushing forward in extra-time.
It was different story in the other late game, though, after Iraq and Paraguay has finished 0-0 after 90 minutes, with the South Americans having been reduced to 10 men in the 80th minute.
Photo: EPA
Iraq substitute Farhan Shakor scored the only goal with a firm header past goalkeeper Diego Morel in the fifth minute of extra-time.
Paraguay, who defeated Argentina in qualifying, were without suspended captain Gustavo Gomez. They also lost Arnaldo Sanabria, who was booked in the 70th minute and sent off after another foul 10 minutes later.
Iraq continued a remarkable run in their first appearance in the tournament for 12 years. They won Group E, where they drew 2-2 with England, and now play in the quarter-finals for the second time — having also reached the last eight in 1989.
Earlier, substitute Yiadom Boakye set up the equalizer and then scored a late winner as Ghana rallied to beat Portugal.
Ghana were 2-1 down when Boakye came on the 75th minute. Four minutes later, Portugal goalkeeper Jose Sa saved his shot, but allowed Michael Anaba to pounce on the rebound for the equalizer.
Boakye then followed up by sending a free-kick through a two-man wall in the 85th minute.
Kennedy Ashia had put Ghana ahead with a long-range effort in the 19th minute, but defenders Tiago Ferreira and Edgar both scored within the space of three minutes to put Portugal 2-1 up in the 73rd minute.
Ghana were the last team to qualify for the knockout stage, after losing two group matches and narrowly advancing on goal-difference following a 4-1 defeat of the US.
Portugal, the runners-up in 2011, had scored the most goals in the group stage, but failed to convert two early chances.
Aladje was left unmarked, but sent his effort over the crossbar after 15 seconds, while Bruma, who scored five times in three group matches, shot wide a minute later.
Portugal dominated possession, but ultimately paid the price for failing to make their chances count.
Chile similarly controlled large parts of their match against Croatia, who have never gone beyond the round-of-16, but created few chances.
Nicolas Castillo finally broke the deadlock when he was set up by Sebastian Martinez and headed the ball backward over Croatia goalkeeper Oliver Zelenika in the 81st minute. Four minutes later, Croatia defender Jozo Simunovic sent a Christian Bravo cross past his own goalkeeper.
Chile finished third in 2007, but failed to qualify for the next two editions.
The other two quarter-finals see France face Uzbekistan and Uruguay take on favorites Spain.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping