THE Young Filipinas failed to hang on to the early lead and were forced out of the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Under-17 Asian Cup by the South Koreans at the Bali United Training Center in Bali, Indonesia yesterday.
With a spot in the crossover semifinals at stake, the Pinay booters seemed poised to move on after defender Ariana Markey scored on a curving left-footed right corner kick that sailed over South Korean goalie Woo Sumin and into the net in the 37th minute.
They were able to keep their rivals at bay for 18 more minutes until Noh Sieun saw an opening at the center, blasting from 20 yards after teammate Phair Casey Yujin had taken down Aiselyn Sia, much to the dismay and frustration of the Filipino camp since it looked like a foul.
The South Koreans then stepped up the pressure, but Young Filipina goalie Gabriel Baker came through with timely saves although it failed to save the charges of Australian tactician Sinisa Cohadzic from elimination.
The 1-1 draw left the two teams tied with four points each with one win and a draw but South Korea advanced to the semis with a plus-five goal difference after drubbing host Indonesia 12-0 three days ago.
The Young Filipinas, who won over the Indons 6-1 but absorbed a 0-6 shutout at the hands of North Korea Korea, had a minus-one goal difference.
