SPORTS
Guy Ferrier: Korea DPR are strong
Baku, October 13 (AZERTAC). Finalists France have made history by becoming the first French women`s side to contest the title decider at a FIFA competition. For coach Ferrier, this campaign in Azerbaijan is the result of a lengthy period of hard work from everyone involved: “At this moment in time we have up to six academies dedicated to women`s football, where sport and education are combined.
"The girls study and pick up their qualifications, but they also train five days a week," he went on. "They have to work hard at what they do, but that effort has been reflected here, by them reaching the final”.
Facing Les Bleuettes in the final are Korea DPR, who return to the competition showpiece having won the New Zealand 2008 edition of this tournament. The North Koreans` current boss Yong is confident this crop of young players can repeat that feat, yet he was also keen not to show a lack of respect to France - with whom they drew 1-1 at the group stage - and Germany, who they edged out in the semi-finals. “Both France and Germany are very strong teams and were great opponents,” he underlined.
Ferrier, for his part, highlighted his side`s readiness to cope with Saturday`s big occasion: “The pressure`s been off for our players since we made it past the quarter-finals. We know what our weaknesses are and where Korea DPR are strong, and it`s simply a question of playing as well as we possibly can.”
All in all, therefore, reaching the final day of a FIFA U-17 Women`s World Cup has been considered a success for everyone involved. Now all that is left is to enjoy the final two encounters, and savour the spectacle these four quality teams and their coaches will serve up on 13 October.