Korea Republic U-20 women’s national team have rounded off the two-game friendly series against the United States with a victory and a defeat, as they prepare for the finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals in Colombia in September.
 

Park Younjeong’s side bounced back from the 3-0 defeat in the opening match on Saturday with a 4-2 win over the hosts at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California on Tuesday. It was Korea Republic’s first victory against USA since they beat the North Americans 3-0 during the Universiad in 2017.
 

The hosts proved too strong for the Taegeuk Nangja in the first match: Jordyn Bugg opened the scoring on 18 minutes, before Emeri Adames and Giana Riley struck in the second half.
 

Korea Republic raised their game and fought back in the second game: Park Soojeong lost her marker on the left side of the area, before firing an unstoppable shot with her left foot to draw first blood. Three minutes later, Jo Hyeyoung doubled the advantage with a clinical finish from close range. Bae Yebin then made it 3-1 with an audacious effort, before Jung Dabin put the result beyond doubt as the visitors claimed a 4-2 victory.
 

Park Younjeong told KFA after the match: “There were some problems that we had to address from the first game, and I stressed the importance of the details including how they should move into the right position to receive the ball. We could create more opportunities to score thanks to the collective effort from the players.”

“It’s fair to say that the United States are a better team, but we had the confidence that we could do it. We should be well prepared for the World Cup finals, in terms of improving defensive organisation as well as finishing touch.”
 

Meanwhile, the U-20 women’s national team had qualified for the world finals by finishing fourth at the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup in March.
 

Korea Republic are waiting for the outcome of the official draw to be held in Colombia on Thursday, before submitting their final squad at the end of July – one month prior to the kick of the tournament proper.