Sports

BAE Junho scored one goal and set up another as Korea Republic upset Ecuador 3-2 in the last 16 of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup on Thursday in Argentina.

The result meant Korea Republic set up a quarter-final meeting with Nigeria who eliminated six-time champions Argentina at the Round of 16 on Wednesday.

It was the Taegeuk Warriors who struck first at the Santiago del Estero Stadium, after Bae 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 in the 11th minute.

Bae then employed two exceptional touches to befuddle Daniel de la Cruz, before firing home to double the advantage for Korea Republic in the 19th minute.

A penalty kick got Ecuador back into the game though.

Park Changwoo was adjudged to have pulled back Kendry Paez, and Justin Cuero dispatched his fourth goal of the tournament in the 36th minute.

But Korea Republic restored their two-goal cushion at the start of the second half, with Choi Seokhyun heading home Lee Seungwon’s corner-kick in the 48th minute.

In spite of a late Sebastian Gonzalez effort from close range in the 84th minute, 3-2 was 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 Under-20 World Cup matches against nations from South America, the competition’s dominant continent.(NAN)

T.S

Tags: Bae Junho Ecuador Kendry Paez Korea Republic Park Changwoo Seungwon Taegeuk Warriors