Morocco Stuns South Korea in World Cup Upset, Securing First-Ever Victory

Another defeat for South Korea (17th in the world). They lost to Morocco (72nd in the world) after being beaten by Colombia 2-0. Atlas Lioness Ibtissam Jraidi scored with her head in the sixth minute of play. An unexpected goal that disconcerted the Koreans. "The Koreans had trouble regaining their composure for the rest of the first half. The defense and midfield are disjointed, with every ball coming from the back quickly lost by an imposing player. It was a particularly painful swan song for the so-called golden generation of Korea, which did not at all manage to impose itself in what could be one of its last national team matches," comments Korea JoongAng Daily.

The Korean newspaper notes that veteran midfielder Cho So-hyun, one of Korea’s most capped players of all time, failed to take advantage of the slightest opportunity, often giving the ball away or making passes at the wrong time, and that Ji So-yun, the team’s star and top scorer, did not even impress. "Striker Park Eun-sun, who had been favored by Bell (the team’s coach) in recent months, was just as ineffective, missing touches or sending the ball far off target, and struggling to show the speed or agility needed to follow up her action," adds the article’s author, concluding that the Koreans suffered a humiliating defeat (1-0) in the "easiest match of the competition."

South Korea remains in contention for qualification for the round of 16, before facing Germany, the 2nd in the world and favorite of the competition, next Thursday in the last round of Group H. But the chances of the Taeguk Ladies to qualify are very slim. It would take Colombia to beat Germany on Sunday evening, but also for Korea - which has not yet scored a goal against two lower-ranked teams - to beat Germany on Thursday by more than six goals. Assuming Colombia also beats Morocco, Colombia would have nine points, all the others three, and Korea would occupy second place on goal difference. An extremely unlikely scenario.