U-17 Women to Face Japan in World Cup Soccer Final

The under-17 women`s soccer team has become the first South Korean team to advance to the final of a FIFA-sanctioned tournament.

South Korea will face Japan Saturday for the championship after having beaten Spain, 2-1, Tuesday in the semifinals of the FIFA U-17 Women`s World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago. Japan rallied to beat defending champion North Korea, 2-1, in the other semifinals.

At the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, South Korea gave up the opening goal and trailed 1-0 in the 23rd minute, but scores by Yeo Min-ji and Joo Soo-jin propelled the team over Spain.

The semifinals had been South Korea`s best finish in a FIFA-sanctioned tournament. South Korea reached the final four of the 1983 U-20 World Cup in Mexico, the 2002 World Cup co-hosted by South Korea and Japan, and this year`s U-20 Women`s World Cup in Germany.

Yeo is the tournament`s leading scorer with eight goals in five games, and could finish as both top scorer and Most Valuable Player.

Before the final, North Korea will play Spain for third place.