Undefeated Korea DPR will face Spain in the first quarterfinals of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Port Moresby this afternoon.
And in the second knockout match, Japan and Brazil will fight for survival under the lights at the National Football Stadium.
The Koreans who topped Group A with three convincing wins over Sweden, Brazil and Papua New Guinea will take a stopping to halt their momentum.
Spain with a mixed result in their bags with two wins and a defeat will need to take their best defensive game to the field to stop the fast playing Koreans.
The Spanish finished second in Group B after Japan, both tied on 6 points apiece.
Coach Hwang Yong-Bong is not taking the Spanish lightly, however, describing the opponents as one of the best teams in the world.
“The UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship runners-up, Spain, have been one of the tournament's surprise packages. La Rojita were given little hope of progression from a group containing Japan and Nigeria, but the Iberians qualified with ease, beating title favourites Japan 1-0 en route to a maiden appearance in the last eight at the second time of asking,” Yong-Bong told FIFA.COM.
Korea DPR from 5 appearances at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup has one title in the trophy cabinet.
This is Spain’s first appearance in the U20 World Cup.
Picture Source: FIFA.COM