It was a difficult outing for South Korea in their opening 2023 Women's World Cup match, as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Colombia at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Two first half goals were enough for the South American side to claim victory, and South Korea now face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages as they would need some sort of result against Germany.
However, there was one positive from the match, with South Korea substitute and exciting winger Casey Phair breaking a World Cup record that has stood for more than 20 years.
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Casey Phair youngest player at Women's World Cup
With her appearance off the bench in the 78th minute of today's match, Casey Phair became the youngest ever player to compete at a Women's World Cup.
16-year-old Casey Phair comes on for South Korea vs. Colombia and becomes the youngest player to ever play in a World Cup 🌟 pic.twitter.com/yA94VXrMEi
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 25, 2023
Phair, who is 16 years and 26 days of age, has now beaten the record previously set by Nigeria's Ifeanyi Chiejine in 1999, who played for the African side at the age of 16 years and 34 days.
Chiejine made her appearance against North Korea, also in the group stages.
Phair was born in the USA to an American father and a South Korean mother, with her family moving to the United States permanently at one month old; she is playing for the Pingry school and also trains at the Players Development Academy in New Jersey.
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Casey Phair international career
Phair first played for the South Korea under-17s side, as well as having the opportunity to train with the USWNT last year in a training camp.
However, she chose to declare for South Korea, and scored a staggering five goals in two games at the under-17s Asian Cup qualifying, putting her on the radar for the senior side coached by Colin Bell.
She was invited to a training camp ahead of the World Cup with the senior team, and did enough to impress Bell, who named her in the final 23-player squad for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
Bell says he will do his best to protect her from the limelight and media glare facing her due to her status as a record holder, telling reporters, "I know as the first mixed race player for Korea, men and women, it's a highlight, it's something new," Bell said.
"But as far as I'm concerned she's still a kid and it's my duty to protect her so she can blossom and really fulfil her potential. We're taking care of her, she's taken very well to the team. She's in the squad on merit. She deserves, on her performance, to be selected."
Youngest players at 2023 World Cup
There are a host of exciting young stars set to play at the 2023 Women's World Cup alongside Phair.
Giulia Dragoni started in Italy's win over Argentina at the age of just 16, whilst 16 year old Sheika Scott also played for Costa Rica off the bench in their loss to Spain on Friday.
Exciting USA talent Alyssa Thompson is one of the most exciting youngsters at the tournament at 18 years of age.
World Cup debutants Haiti have the most players under the age of 20, with six in their final squad.
South Korea World Cup games
South Korea will look to bounce back to winning ways when they play Morocco on July 30, before playing against heavyweights Germany in their final group stage match on August 3.
| Date | Match | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| July 30 | South Korea vs. Morocco | Hindmarsh Stadium |
| August 3 | South Korea vs. Germany | Brisbane Stadium |
