Defending champions record another draw in the U17 World Cup

Germany recorded another 1-1 draw in the U17 World Cup after squandering their lead once again in Group G.

Germany scored within 15 seconds of their opening group stage game against Colombia, but they were second best to North Korea in the entire first-half. Ri Hyok-gwang had the first chance of the game for Rim Chol-min’s side when Marcello Trippel tipped his effort to the sidenetting.

Kim Se-ung also came close with a glancing header as North Korea started brightly on the back of their 5-0 win over El Salvador. Germany didn’t have any clear-cut chances in the first 45 minutes. However, both sides had unsuccessful appeals for a penalty-kick as Football video support (FVS) took care of things instead of VAR.

Marc-Patrick Meister made two half-time substitutions as defender Osman Turay and Toni Langsteiner, who scored Germany’s goal against North Korea, were replaced by Eintracht Frankfurt duo Niklas Scheller and Christian Prenaj.

Wisdom Mike had a quiet first-half, but the Bayern Munich winger was pivotal in Germany’s improved showing after the restart. And he put Germany ahead with a brilliant finish in the hour-mark following a well-worked buildup by Meister’s side.

North Korea continue to ask questions on the other end, with Trippel tested by the fleet-footed Kim Yu-jin. Scheller also played a big part in maintaining Germany’s lead with a crucial block from Han Il-bok’s goal-bound effort.

However, the supersub Han leveled the score with a spectacular curling effort in the 81st minute. The Kigwancha midfielder also netted against El Salvador as a substitute. North Korea lead the group with four points before the final set of fixtures.

Colombia and El Salvador finished goalless in the other game of the group. Germany have two points from as many games before facing the tournament debutants on Monday. Besides the top two, eight third-placed teams will qualify for the Round of 32 from the 12 groups. Italy, Portugal, and Argentina already secured their places in the knockout stages with two wins from two in their respective groups.