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S. Korea plays England to scoreless draw, wins Group B at U-17 World Cup

October 23, 2015

South Korea’s Yoo Seung-min, middle, tries to fight off two England defenders. (Courtesy of Korean Football Association / Yonhap)

SEOUL (Yonhap) — South Korea won Group B at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile on Friday after a scoreless draw with England.

South Korea completed their undefeated group phase at Estadio Francisco Sanchez Rumoroso in Coquimbo, Chile. Coached by Choi Jin-cheul, South Korea had already secured a spot in the round of 16 following two straight 1-0 victories over Brazil and Guinea.

South Korea finished with seven points, one better than Brazil.

There are 24 teams in action at the youth tournament, paired into six groups of four. The top two nations in each group will be joined by the four best runners-up in the knockout stage. As the Group B winner, South Korea will face one of the No. 3 seeds.

Needing only a draw to win the group, coach Choi inserted five new faces into the starting lineup. England took advantage of some shoddy defense before the South Koreans settled down.

In the 26th minute, Park Sang-hyeok for South Korea hit the side netting with a shot from the left flank. Minutes later, Park headed a corner taken by Lee Sang-heon right into the arms of goalkeeper Alfie Whiteman.

It was much the same story in the second half as South Korea closed out the group stage without allowing a goal.

They are the first South Korean team at any age group, men or women, to blank their opponents throughout the group phase at any FIFA competition.