Korea DPR

1-1

England 

Rim 89

Moses 62


FIFA U17 World Cup
Group B
2pm Saturday 18 August
Jeju World Cup Stadium, Seogwipo

A goalkeeper's nightmare is making a top-class save only to see someone tap in the rebound - that's exactly what the unfortunate Alex Smithies suffered during England's draw with Korea DPR.

With England leading through Victor Moses' goal, the Koreans launched a late attack in the desperate hope of an equaliser. Han Kyong Gwang delivered an inviting cross and captain An Il Bom executed a perfect header to send the ball arrowing into the bottom corner.

Goal, surely? But Smithies had other ideas, flinging himself full-length to scoop the ball off the line in a save not too dissimilar to Gordon Banks' fabled stop against Pele.

But where Banks helped the ball over the bar, Smithies could only palm into the path of the grateful Rim Choi Min who lashed high into the net.

"It felt like a good save until I saw the lad charging in," rued Smithies. "I was gutted to see him smash it in. I thought I would save the second one too. I thought it was just going to hit me in the chest. He hit it into the roof. I thought he was outside the box - I was a bit shocked to see him there."

Having not played for his country since the 1-1 draw with France in February, Smithies was understandably nervous as England lined-up for their first ever World Cup game at Under-17 level.

But if the Huddersfield stopper was feeling a little anxious, his performance did not let on and he can look back with pride at a handful of excellent saves.

"There were a few butterflies," he said. "I have not played for this team for a while. I was just hoping for a good start and then to get a clean sheet. We were disappointed to concede the late goal. We went into it hoping to win, so to draw is a bit disappointing."

Having conjured up 24 attempts, the Koreans were good value for their point.

"They didn't surprise us," the goalkeeper added. "We knew they were a good team and we respected them. We knew they would come at us. We were just a little off-par."

England's next challenge is to beat New Zealand, who shipped seven goals against Brazil - including one after just nine seconds - on Saturday afternoon.

The young Lions are confident of securing their first win of the campaign.

"We are all optimistic," he insisted. "We need three points and that's hopefully what we will come out with. The draw has not knocked us back too far, we are still confident. It's a 5pm kick-off so conditions should be a little bit better for us."

Korea DPR: 1 O Mun Song, 3 Ri Hyong Mu, 4 Kang Kuk Chol (8 Jong Il Ju, 68 mins), 5 Kang Chol Ryong, 6 Han Kyong Gwang, 7 Myong Cha Hyon, 9 Ri Sang Choi, 10 An Il Bom, 11 Pak Kwang Ryong (15 Rim Choi Min, 67 mins), 17 Ri Myong Jun (2 Sim Hyon, 57 mins), 20 O Jin Hyok.

Subs not used: 12 Pak Hyong Jin, 13 Pak Yu Il, 14 An Hyok Il, 16 An Pyong Jun, 18 Kim Jin Won, 19 Kang Kyong Hak, 21 Mun Jong Hyok.

Coach: An Ye Gun

Yellow cards: Jong Il Ju, 80 mins, Han Kyong Gwang, 90 mins.

England: 13 Alex Smithies, 2 Seth Nana Ofori-Twumasi, 15 Jordan Spence, 5 Krystian Pearce, 6 Tom Smith (16 Gavin Hoyte, 71 mins) 14 Michael Woods, 4 Henri Lansbury (12 Daniel Gosling, 84 mins), 10 Victor Moses, 18 Jonathan Franks, 11 Nathan Porritt (17 Tristan Plummer, 73 mins), 9 Rhys Murphy.

Subs not used: 1 Jason Steele, 3 James Reid, 7 Daniel Welbeck, 8 Tom Taiwo, 19 Ashley Chambers, 20 Medy Elito, 21 Wesley Foderingham.

Coach: John Peacock

Yellow cards: Seth Nana Ofori-Twumasi, 54 mins

Referee: Eddy Maillet (SEY)

Assistant referees: Evarist Menkouande (CMR) & Bechir Hassani (TUN)

Fourth Official: Jong Chul Kwon (KOR)