Sydney, July 25 (Agency) Colombia have joined Germany at the top of the Group H standings after a strong first half set up a 2-0 win over Korea Republic here on Tuesday. With Sydney Football Stadium bathed in early afternoon sunshine, a testy opening spell, punctuated by stoppages, was snapped as Colombia were awarded a penalty that saw Catalina Usme sendYoon Younggeul the wrong way on the half hour. Nine minutes later and the lead was doubled as a surging run down the left from Caicedo saw her shot from distance find its way to goal off the hands of Yoon; in the process making the Colombian starlet the first teenager to score at Australia & New Zealand 2023, the FIFA reported.With coach Nelson Abadia serving the first of a two-match suspension, it was Caicedo’s former youth coach, Angelo Marsiglia, on the touchline. He would have been happy with a solid second half that saw Colombia continue to cause Korea Republic plenty of problems.
As time wound down on the 2-0 win, there was a slice of history created as Casey Phair, at just 16 years and 26 days, became the youngest ever player at a Women’s World Cup. Colombia goalscorer Linda Caicedo said, “For me, it’s always been about playing for my country and my national team, so I’m happy to score the goal. Now it’s time to think about recovering. We’re going to face a team that’s coming from a rout, but this is a World Cup. We’re getting ready for that. So welcome, Germany. “Korea Republic coach Colin Bell said, ” In various departments Colombia were the better team, stronger team, so we have to learn from that. The speed of thought, the aggression, but it’s that decision-making in pressured situations and that’s where we have to step up as a nation.”