[imText1]The next generation of South-North Korea’s football players go head to head in a friendly match.
On the 2nd, the second football match between South and North Korea was held at the World Cup stadium in Suwon. The South Koreans won the under-17’s friendly match against the North, 2-1. Four days prior, South Korea had also won the preliminary rounds in Jeju, 2-0.
After entering the field holding hands, the South and North Korean players took a commemorative photo displaying their camaraderie. Nonetheless, as soon as the game began, the friendly match became a ground of tackles and struggles in a fight for victory.
During the full 90 minutes of the game, the atmosphere and excitement surpassed that of an adult’s national team, as the spectators cheered enthusiastically for both sides.
The first to score were the South. 15 minutes into the game, a penalty shot was awarded to Lim Jong Eun who made a kick with his left foot from the left outer field. The ball rebounded a Northern opponent falling into the post and consumed by the net.
[imText2]With the lead taken, the first half of the game continued only for the North to gain their own penalty shot within 8 minutes into the second half. In receipt of a smooth pass by Park Hyung Jin, Rim Chul Min scored a goal with his left foot.
The match progressed with the South and North giving and taking the ball but at 37 minutes into the second half, Lee Young Joon from the Southern team scored a header with a corner kick.
On the field, players showed admirable sportsmanship giving the helping hand to fallen members irrespective of team and massaging one other’s sore muscles. It was undoubtedly a unified spirit.
At the Asia Youth Soccer Championship held in Singapore last year, North Korea reached the semi finals and even visited South Korea last month in preparation for the FIFA World Youth Championship to be held in 8 different locations throughout Korea from Aug 18th to Sept 9th.
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