LIBERIA, Costa Rica – Canada played to a second straight draw at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on Tuesday, benefiting from late own-goal by Korea DPR in a Group B game that ended 1-1 at the Estadio Edgardo Baltodano Briceño.
The Canadians (2 points) are in second place after two games, four points behind Ghana, which clinched a berth in the next round thanks to a 1-0 victory over Germany earlier in the day.
Sung Hyang Sim gave Korea DPR the lead in the 54th minute, when goalkeeper Devon Kerr dove to her right to parry a Ri Ji Hyang effort. Choe Un Hwa raced to the loose ball on the left edge of the six-yard box and squared a pass that Sung tapped-in easily from close range.
The Koreans kept on the attack, but Canada finally got on the scoreboard in the 86th minute. Gabrielle Carle delivered a cross from the right side of the box that Kim Jong Sim inadvertently directed into her own net from two yards out. Marie Mychele Metivier was well positioned to capitalize if the ball slipped to her in front of the net.
Jessie Fleming, who scored in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Germans, hit the crossbar in the first half for the CONCACAF runner-up. Carle headed another off the woodwork shortly after the break.
Next up for Canada is a meeting with Ghana at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa, a match that will complete group play for each.
