DPR Korea smash USA, Japan ease past Ghana at Women's U17 World Cup

A spot in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup semi-finals is on the line. It is the United States and defending champion DPR Korea with a spot in Wednesday's semi-finals. Pushing it out wide. Rhee plays it in. Headed by DPR Korea. Loose ball. Saunders gets to it. Who else would be on the end of it than Yoo Jong-hyun? Manning on the move. Team Maria wanted near post. Doesn't get it. DPR Korea winning it back with space. Entering the box. Towards one. DPR on the board first. DPR Korea. Will they add to their lead here? DPR Korea. The defending champions add to their lead here in the quarterfinals. Pass the back line of the United States. Another opportunity. DPR Korea extends their lead to three. What a build up. A poor turnover for the United States. And D was waiting. To the top of the box, gone goal, punched out by Saunders. DPR Korea is not satisfied with three. Maddie DiMaria on the move, denied by DPR Korea's keeper Kim. DPR Korea 3-0, defeating the United States here in the quarterfinals. The tournament's most successful nation is back. Ghana finished third in 2012, and today face Japan, who were world champions in 2014. The head-to-head is level with one apiece. Now, a place in the semifinals awaits. Great speed, what a scene pass. They're talking about that technical ability. And there's the speed of Ghana to recover. The first corner kick of the match goes to Japan. At the goalkeeper, Maku Akali, 16-year-old, first attempt at target by Matsushita. Certainly a player to watch, and a bad foul from behind on Shawnee. Higuchi, a right-footed blast, but Maku Akali right there. Sato cuts middle, saved by Maku Akali. Uh-oh, that's a spill, still trouble. And it's in, Japan takes a one-nil lead. You cannot make mistakes. Japan will make you pay, and they do. It's Kurita, her fourth goal of the tournament. She ties Hanashiro. More pressure from Japan in the penalty area. Right-footed shot, save Akula. And your final whistle. It's Japan. Indeed, they will advance to the semifinals. Congratulations to head coach Sadiyoshi Shirai and the players. They continue their flawless record. Now 5-0. Ghana nail Japan 1.