Korea Republic Beat Ecuador To Book Quarterfinal Clash With Nigeria

Korea Republic Beat Ecuador To Book Quarterfinal Clash With Nigeria

By Niyi Busari

Korea Republic upset Ecuador to set up a FIFA U-20 World Cupâ„¢ quarter-final against Nigeria, BSNSports.com.ng reports

It was the Taegeuk Warriors who struck first. Bae Junho played a delightful ball over the back of the Ecuador defence. Lee Youngjun, who had timed his run to perfection, controlled it immaculately on his chest and buried a volley into the bottom corner. Bae then employed two exceptional touches to befuddle Daniel de la Cruz, before firing home to double the advantage.

A penalty got Ecuador back into the game. Park Changwoo was adjudged to have pulled back Kendry Paez, and Justin Cuero dispatched his fourth goal of Argentina 2023, but Korea Republic restored their two-goal cushion at the start of the second half. Choi Seokhyun forcibly headed home Lee Seungwon’s corner, and despite a late Sebastian Gonzalez effort from close range, three-two is how it finished.

Korea Republic will now face Nigeria in Santiago del Estero on Sunday for a place in the semi-finals.

Korea Republic have now won four successive FIFA U-20 World Cup matches against nations from South America, the competition’s dominant continent.

The winners between Nigeria and Korea Republic will face winners between Italy and Colombia in the semi-final of the competition. Italy will trade tackle with Colombia in the quarter-final on Friday night 2nd June, 2023