Casey Phair makes Women’s World Cup history for South Korea

Casey Yu-jin Phair entered the record books Tuesday.

The 16-year-old South Korea forward became the youngest player to ever play in the Women’s World Cup when she entered the 2-0 loss to Colombia in Sydney, Australia.

Phair broke the record held by Nigeria’s Ifeanyi Chiejine, who was 16 years and 34 days old when she took the pitch during the 1999 World Cup.

Phair beat the mark by eight days when she entered Tuesday’s loss in the 78th minute and is the record holder at 16 years and 26 days.

“Going on, I was really, really nervous,” Phair said, according to The Associated Press. “It was a scary moment, but then going on and running around, I think it just settled in.”

While Phair plays for South Korea, she lives in Warren Township, N.J., and plays for the Pingry School in Basking Ridge, N.J.

Her mother is South Korean, while her father is American.

She was born in South Korea before her family relocated to America shortly after her birth.

Phair trained with the U.S. team last year but instead chose to pursue a World Cup roster spot with the South Korean team.

“Whether it’s with the under-17 team or the senior team, I always feel that whenever I am with the Korean national team I am put in the best position to improve and thrive,” Phair told The Athletic.

Phair is the first player of mixed heritage to play for a Korean World Cup team, according to Reuters.

“I know as the first mixed race player for Korea, men and women, it’s a highlight, it’s something new,” South Korea manager Colin Bell said earlier this month, per Reuters. “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.”

Phair and South Korea play in Group H and next face Morocco on Sunday.