http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlin...273895&cc=5901
Americans crush South Korea
ESPN.com news services
LAHTI, Finland -- Freddy Adu, the 14-year-old soccer phenom, had a dazzling debut at the U-17 World Championships on Thursday by a scoring a hat trick to lead the United States to a 6-1 rout of South Korea.
The Ghanaian-born youngster ran rampant to lay claim to a brilliant equalizer and two more in the driving wind and rain of Lahti, Finland as the U.S got its campaign off with a bang.
Following some promising moments early on, the U.S. went down to a horrific own goal just after the ten-minute mark. A looping ball in from the right gave American defender Dwight Owens some trouble. As he tried to control the bouncing ball, it glanced wickedly off his chest and past keeper Phil Marfuggi who had come off his line to collect.
The Americans hit back straight away with consistent danger man Adu leading the charge. The youngster collected the ball 45 yards from goal, turned brilliantly and dribbled past four flat-footed Korean defenders with a stunning burst of speed. Rounding keeper Cha Ki Seok with ease, the prodigy slotted home with his left foot to send the U.S. team into wild celebrations - and surely no one was happier than unlucky Owens.
"I was actually looking around for someone to pass to," said the humble youngster with a bag of ice strapped to his ankle after the match. "No one was around, so I just decided to go for it."
Defender Owens relief was doubled only five minutes later when a corner kick from captain Corey Ashe bobbled dangerously around the box. Leaning back, the defender slammed the ball past the hapless Cha from seven yards.
"After the own goal I was feeling pretty down," commented Owens. "But my teammates kept me up and I told myself I had two choices 'either bounce back or crumble'."
Though the Koreans continued to make inroads with their direct, physical football, luck was not on their side. Lee Gang Jin saw his right-footed shot slam against Marfuggi's post just before the half.
Korea's lack of luck continued ten minutes into the second period as Lee Sang Yong beat Ashe to the byline and crossed dangerously. Marfuggi lunged and missed, but the ball slipped past the two strikers and safely out.
The Americans hit back immediately on a lightning-quick counterattack down the right. Adu was again involved as his deflected flick sent Texas native Jaime Watson clean in on goal. After rounding Cha, the spiky-haired striker slipped the ball into the back of the net.
"Watson and Adu are really beginning to develop a very good understanding," said U.S. boss John Ellinger."
Adu collected his hat trick with a coolly taken penalty in extra time.
"I was really nervous before the game," he said. "I feel I didn't have my best game. I can do a lot better. If Adu can indeed do better, Group D's Sierra Leone and Spain better watch out.