China remained unbeaten in Group F of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland after playing to a 0-0 draw against Nigeria while North Korea booked their place in the knockout stage after defeating Costa Rica 4-0 on Thursday.
North Korea, the reigning champions produced a dominant victory over ten-player Costa Rica to earn their second win in Group E which confirmed their spot in the Round of 16.
North Korea looked to have taken an early lead when Kang Ryu Mi tapped home from a corner, but a VAR review confirmed she had strayed into an offside position.
Han Chol Hak’s side continued to dominate and got the breakthrough soon after, with neat interplay leading to captain Pak Ok I squirming a shot under goalkeeper Ashley Quesada from just inside the box in the 26th minute.
Samantha Pitty was then sent off for a deliberate handball in the area right on the stroke of half-time. Pak stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick, but was foiled by a superb Quesada save.
Chon Yon A doubled North Korea’s lead 10 minutes after the break with a well-placed header, before the No10 added a third through an 87th minute penalty after she was hauled down in the area by Fabiana Alfaro.
Further gloss was added to the scoreline as Ho Kyong put the finishing touch on a flowing move with an inch-perfect curler in stoppage time.
Having opened their campaign with an emphatic 5-0 win over New Caledonia, China will feel they could have taken maximum points after twice being denied by the crossbar.
The East Asian side almost made the perfect start when Li Chenyu rattled the woodwork after just 82 seconds as China immediately took the game to their African opponents.
Nigeria, looking to bounce back from their opening defeat to Spain, gradually settled into the contest with Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei proving a constant threat, but China’s defence stood firm.
China continued to look dangerous after the break and were denied by the woodwork for a second time when Xue Sifan’s effort struck the crossbar.
Neither side, however, could find the breakthrough as China PR followed up their impressive opening victory with another point.
The East Asian side remain firmly on course for a place in the knockout stage as they seek to advance beyond the group phase for the first time since reaching the final in 2006. They will face already-qualified Spain next on Saturday.
Nigeria, meanwhile, kept alive their hopes of maintaining their record of reaching the knockout stage at every edition since the inaugural tournament in 2002, with the Falconets to face New Caledonia next.
