Tue, 28 Mar 2017 11:17:07 +0000
…as South Korea end Junior Chipolopolo’s winning streak
By Michael Miyoba
| THE Zambia Under-20 national soccer team was yesterday beaten 4-1 by 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup hosts South Korea in the on-going four-nation South Korea invitational tournament’s second fixture played at Cheonan Sports Complex. |
Shin Tae-yong’s tutored South Korea opened the score line in the 29th minute.
The Junior Chipolopolo however responded four minutes later when Edward Chilufya scored to level matters 12 minutes before halftime.
Chilufya’s strike was his second of the tournament, having scored his first in the 2-nil bashing of Ecuador in the first game at the four-nation tournament played at Suwon World Cup Stadium.
The junior World Cup hosts regained the lead minutes before halftime.
The junior Chipolopolo’s agony piled up in the second half when South Korea made it 4-1 in a space of 10 minutes.
Zambia’s loss to South Korea became their first since November 2016 when Zambia lifted the Under-20 COSAFA tournament in South Africa and went on to win the Total Under-20 AfCON without losing a match.
Beston Chambeshi opted to start with first choice goal keeper Mangani Banda who returned between the posts, having missed the first game of the invitational tournament which Zambia won 2-1 against Ecuador.
Others who returned in the starting 11 are captain Solomon Sakala and defender Prosper Chiluya who missed the first fixture as well.
In midfield, Chambeshi opted to play young Chripine Sakulanda, Enock Mwepu and Kenneth Kalunga while in attack Chambeshi opted for Emmanuel Banda, Edward Chilufya and debutant Harrison Chisala. t
The team is without Zanaco midfielder Boyd Siame who had remained behind due to a family bereavement while the three foreign-based players – Patson Daka of F.C Liefering, Mumba Mwape of Getafe and Fashion Sakala Spartak Moscow – returned to their respective clubs.
The Junior Chipolopolo, who are using the invitational tournament to prepare for the junior World Cup, will clash with Honduras in the third fixture to be played at Jeju Stadium, one of the stadia to be used for the World Cup.
Zambia conquered Africa during the 2017 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Senegal 2-0 in the final played at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka to secure a spot at the junior World Cup tournament.
The four-nation tournament, which has Ecuador, Honduras and hosts South Korea, kicked off on March 24 and will end on March 31.
Starting Eleven.
Mangani Banda (1), Prosper Chiluya (3), Benson Chali (4), Solomon Sakala (5)(C), Chrispine Sakulanda (7), Harrison Chisala (8), Enock Mwepu (11), Emmanuel Banda (12), Edward Chilufya (14), Edward Tembo (15), Kenneth Kalunga (17)
