Trinidad and Tobago 2010: History written by Korea Republic

• Trinidad and Tobago hosted the second FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup

• Korea Republic claimed their sole crown after goal-laden final with Japan

• Tournament continued a dominance by Asian sides at the finals

In 2010, Trinidad and Tobago hosted the second edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™, following on from the tournament’s debut in New Zealand two years earlier. The Caribbean nation had previously held the men’s tournament in 2001, where a Florent Sinama Pongolle-inspired France emerged victorious, while the likes of Carlos Tevez, Andres Iniesta and Fernando Torres all honed their skills in the Land of the Hummingbird.

Korea DPR headed to the islands as defending champions after their victory over the USA in the inaugural final, and Asia’s stranglehold on the trophy looked set to continue with the title-holders following Korea Republic and Japan into the last four.

The AFC heavyweight trio were joined by a much-fancied Spain side – who arrived as reigning European champions – with future FIFA Women’s World Cup™ winner and two-time The Best FIFA Women’s Player Alexia Putellas in their ranks. The midfield wizard dazzled at the tournament, scoring three times, though she was powerless to prevent a 2-1 semi-final defeat to Korea Republic.

Japan ousted reigning champions Korea DPR in their own Couva clash to set up an all-Asian final, ensuring the continent's dominance on proceedings would continue, and kickstarting a memorable decade for Asian football.

Aided by the adidas Jabulani – the ball renowned for its movement when used during the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa earlier in the year – the Port of Spain decider dazzled the 10,000-plus patrons inside Hasely Crawford Stadium. The final provided six equally shared – and largely sublime – goals, in what is still the highest-scoring final in the tournament's history.

Lee Jeungeun opened the scoring bonanza for Korea Republic with a ferocious drive from outside the area which rose into the net. Japan would quickly turn things around, though, and led by the 17th minute, as Hikaru Naomoto levelled before Yoko Tanaka rifled home a swerving drive from 35 yards out. Parity was soon restored on the stroke of half-time, when Kim Areum thundered a free-kick into the top-left corner.

Chika Kato reestablished Japan's lead when she bundled home an unusually scrappy goal from inside the six-yard box just before the hour mark, only for Lee Sodam to level things once again in the 79th minute with a rasping, first-time half-volley which kissed the crossbar on its way into the net.

Thirty goalless extra-time minutes took the game to spot-kicks, where Japan's Tomoko Muramatsu struck the crossbar in sudden death, allowing Jang Selgi to send the winning penalty into the roof of the net and earn Korea Republic a richly-deserved first crown.

The title-winners were helped along the way by the brilliance of forward Yeo Minji, who netted a joint-record eight times to become the only player to take home both the adidas Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, as well as the adidas Golden Boot. Minji’s finest game at the tournament came in the quarter-finals in an eye-catching 6-5 victory over Nigeria, where she bagged four goals to eventually see her side through.

"I was aware as a centre-forward, my tasks were to score as many goals as possible,” Minji told FIFA. “I kept thinking about it and went to the U-17 World Cup with that dream. Also, a friend of mine promised to treat me to a good meal if I scored eight goals, so I realised that promise!”

A host of players who contested that rip-roaring decider have gone on to enjoy storied international careers. Selgi, who netted the deciding penalty, has won more than 100 senior caps, while Minji, Sodam and Lee Geummin have all shone on the domestic and international stage. Japan can still count on the services of Mina Tanaka and Hikaru Naomoto in today's sides.

The aforementioned Putellas was perhaps the brightest star to emerge from the 2010 U-17 finals, going on to win more than 100 senior caps and a host of trophies. She linked up with Ivana Andres in the Spain squad, with the pair the only graduates from the 2010 tournament who went on to win the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023.

Elsewhere, Germany were helped to the quarter-finals by future Olympic gold medal winner Melanie Leupolz, while Canada also had Olympic hero-to-be Ashley Lawrence in their squad. The likes of Bia Zaneratto, Denise O’Sullivan, Katie Bowen and Lina Magull also travelled to the tournament.

The powerhouses of Asian football quickly began to establish themselves at the top of women's youth football, with the likes of Korea DPR and Japan leading the way in training and infrastructure for the sport from the mid-2000s. The Nadeshiko's historic 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup triumph strengthened the love for football in Asia, helping to ensure AFC would have at least one representative in each of the U-17 Women’s World Cup’s first five finals from 2008-2016.

Those opening tournaments were illuminated by a host of star players from the continent, with four of the five Golden Balls in that time awarded to AFC representatives. Minji’s 2010 heroics saw her follow in the footsteps of Japan’s Mana Iwabuchi – and precede the stellar efforts of fellow Nadeshiko heroes Hina Sugita and Fuka Nagano. Korea DPR’s Ri Un-Sim matched Minji’s scoring efforts two years later in securing the Golden Boot, while Mamiko Matsumoto scooped the adidas Golden Glove at Costa Rica 2014, where Japan conceded just once.

When factoring in the seven personal accolades on offer at each U-17 tournament (the Gold, Silver and Bronze Ball, the Gold, Silver and Bronze boot, and the Golden Glove), seventeen out of the 35 winners were from AFC nations, accounting for just over 48.5 per cent of the prizes.