There was a double celebration for North Korea this weekend as national teams at two different levels emerged victorious in two separate international football tournaments.
The North Korean U16 side were crowned Asian U16 champions for the first time in their history on Sunday as they secured a 2-0 victory over 10-man Uzbekistan at the Pakhtakor Stadium in Tashkent, with late strikes from Ri Kwang-il and Jo Kwang giving North Korea their second Asian youth football trophy in less than a month following the U19 side’s victory over Australia at the Asian U19 championships in China in October.
The full men’s team were also celebrating victory on Saturday night as their two wins and a draw in the 2010 Vietnam Football Federation SonHa Cup was enough to put them top of the four-team group and earn their second piece of silverware on Vietnamese soil in the past two months.
The North Korean squad previously won the Thang Long-Hanoi Football Cup at the end of September, and in the opening match of the SonHa Cup on November 2nd they came back from a goal down with goals in the last ten minutes from Ri Myong-jun and An Il-bom enough to earn a 2-1 victory over Singapore.
A 1-1 draw with a South Korean University XI in the second game on November 4th, followed by their southern rivals falling to a 2-0 defeat to Singapore in their final game, meant that the North Koreans knew victory over hosts Vietnam in the final match would see them top the standings and their 2-0 win on Saturday evening at Hanoi’s My Dinh stadium meant they were celebrating overall victory once again.
footkorean.net
Showing posts with label 2010 AFC U-16 Championship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010 AFC U-16 Championship. Show all posts
08 November 2010
07 November 2010
AFC U-16 Champions !
Tashkent: DPR Korea were crowned AFC U-16 Championship winners for the first time in history on Sunday after claiming a hard-fought 2-0 victory over 10-man Uzbekistan.
Backed by a capacity crowd at Pakhtakor Stadium the hosts were dominant from the outset and the DPR Korea defence were given their toughest test yet during the opening exchanges.
However, a straight red card after 30 minutes for Sardo Rakhmanov took the wind out of Uzbekistan’s sails and as the game wore on the balance of play began to swing in favour of the visitors.
It looked though as if the game would go to extra time only for late strikes from Ri Kwang-il and Jo Kwang to hand DPR Korea the trophy, the East Asian nation’s second youth title in less than a month following their under 19s success in China.
With the home fans in full voice, a nervous DPR Korea defence were looking somewhat shaky early in the game and gave away an early foul on the right side of the area. Timur Khakimov curled an effort towards goal that the visitors struggled to clear before Sardor Rakhmanov’s miss-hit shot went high and wide.
The crowd were celebrating in the 13th minute when Abbosbek Makhstaliev swept home but the goal was scrubbed out with the linesman having immediately raised his flag for offside.
Uzbekistan continued to threaten as Makhstaliev drilled a low free-kick that struck the bottom of the DPR Korea wall and fell at the feet of Muhammadjon Abdullaev, whose shot on the turn hit a defender before being cleared.
But the hosts were dealt a blow on the half hour when Rakhmanov was shown a straight red card after the defender leapt in feet first to challenge Jong Il-hyok.
Despite the man advantage DPR Korea were still yet to really threaten Ganisher Kholmurodov in the Uzbekistan goal and Jong fired high over the bar in the last effort of note for either side before the break.
Uzbekistan came out strong after the restart but DPR Korea had a good chance in the 55th minute when a mistake by Kholmurodov presented a chance for Kang Nam-gwon but the midfielder struggled to control the ball and sent his shot wide.
Ri Ji-song drove a low shot from the edge of the area straight at Kholmurodov 10 minutes later but the North Koreans were getting closer as Pak Myong-song stabbed a shot against the post after a free-kick had evaded almost everyone inside the area.
And their pressure eventually told when Khakimov was caught in possession just inside Uzbekistan’s half in the 74th minute and DPR Korea broke forward before Jo Kwang played a pass across the face of goal that presented fellow substitute Ri Kwang-il with a relatively simple finish from close range.
The game was then put beyond the hosts with five minutes remaining when the persistence of Ri Ji-song allowed Jang Ok-chol to have space down the left and his smart low cross was turned home at Kholmurodov’s near post by Jo Kwang.
afc.com
04 November 2010
AFC U-16 - DPR Korea 2-1 Japan
Tashkent: Two first-half goals were enough to send DPR Korea through to the final of the 2010 AFC U-16 Championship following a 2-1 victory over Japan at Pakhtakor Stadium on Thursday.
Ri Song-ho’s side stormed ahead as Ju Jong-chol opened the scoring just minutes into the game before Pak Myong-song added a second in the 11th minute.
DPR Korea were clearly intent to shut up shop after that and it could have proved costly after Masaya Matsumoto halved the deficit midway through the second half.
However, the game petered out without any further real chances for either side meaning DPR Korea will tackle hosts Uzbekistan in Sunday’s final.
DPR Korea have been impressive performers in Tashkent and they quickly made an impression in this semi-final clash by taking a third minute lead.
Japan keeper Kosuke Nakamura flapped at a free-kick and the ball fell kindly for Ju who swept a shot between two defenders and into the back of the net.
The Samurai Blue were faced with a mountain to climb just eight minutes later when DPR Korea added a second as Ro Myong-song delivered a cross from the left that was headed on by Jang Ok-chol and Pak Myong-song poked home from six yards.
But, with the Japanese players likely deflated and the North Koreans happy to sit back, the pace of the game slowed down considerably with opportunities few and far between for either side.
With chances of victory already a tall order, Japan coach Hirofumi Yoshitake opted to throw on Reo Mochizuki and Masaya Matsumoto in the first half in a bid to reinvigorate his side.
The second half got off to a slow start but eventually Japan suddenly brought themselves back into the game with Yoshitake’s early substitution gamble paying off when the two combined just before the hour, with Mochizuki feeding a pass to Matsumoto who delivered a shot on the turn from the edge of the area and into the back of the net.
The goal brought Japan to life and they pushed forward from then on in search of an equaliser, coming close on a number of occasions through Minamino and Matsumoto.
But the threat of a thrilling finale never arrived as the game once again settled into a midfield battle and a harmless shot that flew over the bar from Kim Song-ho signalled the end of the match and with it DPR Korea’s passage to the final.
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Ri Song-ho’s side stormed ahead as Ju Jong-chol opened the scoring just minutes into the game before Pak Myong-song added a second in the 11th minute.
DPR Korea were clearly intent to shut up shop after that and it could have proved costly after Masaya Matsumoto halved the deficit midway through the second half.
However, the game petered out without any further real chances for either side meaning DPR Korea will tackle hosts Uzbekistan in Sunday’s final.
DPR Korea have been impressive performers in Tashkent and they quickly made an impression in this semi-final clash by taking a third minute lead.
Japan keeper Kosuke Nakamura flapped at a free-kick and the ball fell kindly for Ju who swept a shot between two defenders and into the back of the net.
The Samurai Blue were faced with a mountain to climb just eight minutes later when DPR Korea added a second as Ro Myong-song delivered a cross from the left that was headed on by Jang Ok-chol and Pak Myong-song poked home from six yards.
But, with the Japanese players likely deflated and the North Koreans happy to sit back, the pace of the game slowed down considerably with opportunities few and far between for either side.
With chances of victory already a tall order, Japan coach Hirofumi Yoshitake opted to throw on Reo Mochizuki and Masaya Matsumoto in the first half in a bid to reinvigorate his side.
The second half got off to a slow start but eventually Japan suddenly brought themselves back into the game with Yoshitake’s early substitution gamble paying off when the two combined just before the hour, with Mochizuki feeding a pass to Matsumoto who delivered a shot on the turn from the edge of the area and into the back of the net.
The goal brought Japan to life and they pushed forward from then on in search of an equaliser, coming close on a number of occasions through Minamino and Matsumoto.
But the threat of a thrilling finale never arrived as the game once again settled into a midfield battle and a harmless shot that flew over the bar from Kim Song-ho signalled the end of the match and with it DPR Korea’s passage to the final.
afc.com
01 November 2010
AFC U-16 - DPR Korea 4-0 Jordan
Tashkent: Striker Jo Kwang led from the front as DPR Korea sounded off an emphatic warning to the remaining 2010 AFC U-16 Championship teams as the East Asians advanced to the semi-finals with a well-deserved 4-0 win over Jordan at Pakhtakor stadium on Monday.
Jo, who was starting only his second game of the tournament, fired in a sublime hat-trick, while Ju Jong-chol also got on the score-sheet in the 71st minute to complete the impressive win for the North Koreans.
The win gives DPR Korea the prospect of reaching the title clash besides securing their ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico.
DPR Korea started the brighter of the two although Jo’s seventh-minute effort from six yards was well over the bar while his second attempt was wide of Jordan keeper Mohammad Abunabhan’s right-hand post.
After 21 minutes Tamer Sober had a chance in for the West Asians with his curling shot from just outside the box needing a finger-tip save from North Korean custodian An Kang-chol.
It was Jordan’s cue to press further, and a 27th minute corner almost gave them the lead when Omar Al Hasani struck a ricocheting ball from point-blank range only to have it cleared off the line.
However, DPR Korea drew first blood just after the half-hour, when an unmarked Jo struck a powerful left-footer from a tight angle past Abunabhan.
DPR Korea were on the offensive again after the interval, and just eight minutes into the second half Jo made a darting run into the box on a through-ball from the middle, but just when he was about to pull the trigger, Abunabhan was bravely out to smother the ball.
It was then that Jordan aimed to shore up their defence replacing midfielder Sameer Suleiman with defender Majd Ananzeh.
But that could not prevent Jo from once again beating his markers in the 55th minute to be on the end of a superb cut back from Pak Myong-song and fire home DPR Korea’s second of the night.
Jordan finally made changes to their attack after 68 minutes, replacing defender Basil Abuhelweh with midfielder Omar Dwaik, but to no avail, as just three minutes later, Ju struck DPR Korea’s third, cutting in from the right to power home from some 15 yards.
Jong Kwang-sok almost added to DPR Korea’s joy after 74 minutes but his curling free-kick from outside the area was well saved by Abunabhan.
But Jo was not denied his hat-trick, popping up unmarked in the box in the 77th minute, to comfortably slot in Jang Ok-chol’s cross.
afc.com
27 October 2010
DPR Korea 2-0 Iran
Tashkent: DPR Korea moved top of Group B at the 2010 AFC U-16 Championship following an impressive 2-0 defeat of defending champions Iran at JAR Stadium on Tuesday.
A victory for Iran would have cemented their passage to the quarter-finals but first-half goals from Kang Nam-gwon and Jong Kwang-sok secured victory for DPR Korea, who are now level on four points with Syria but ahead of the West Asians on goal difference.
The win was tinged with disappointment, however, with defender Kim Chol-bom sent off for a reckless challenge late on.
With the match pitting together two sides expected to do well at the tournament it was unsurprising that they cancelled each other out during the early exchanges.
But DPR Korea started to get the measure of the Iranian's defence and fired a warning shot after 13 minutes when Choe Myong-song's low drive was just wide of the left upright.
They were ahead seven minutes later though when Kang raced onto a ball into the area and, surrounded by defenders, lashed a powerful shot that gave keeper Masoud Alizadeh no chance.
Armin Naserinejad cleared a shot off the line from a goalmouth scramble as the East Asians pressed for a second and such was DPR Korea's attacking strength that Iran boss Akbar Mohammadi opted to bolster his beleaguered defence with the 26th minute introduction of defender Milad Kanani for midfielder Saeid Aghaei.
But it did little to stem the tide of attacks and instead DPR Korea increased their lead just after the half hour when skipper Jang Ok-chol was fouled 20 yards from goal and Jong expertly curled a free-kick over the wall and into the net.
Jang shot over the bar less than a minute into the second half before Jong attempted to repeat his goal scoring free-kick from earlier but this time Iran keeper Alizadeh was well placed to hold onto the shot.
Iran may have been struggling to break down DPR Korea but they almost halved the deficit with a fine opportunistic strike from skipper Ali Fathian, who hit a shot with the outside of his boot in the 70th minute that bounced off the crossbar.
Ju Jong-chol headed straight at Alizadeh when well placed soon after but things took a bad turn for DPR Korea nine minutes from time when influential defender Kim was shown a straight red card for a foul on the edge of the area.
Fathian struck the resulting free-kick well enough but keeper An Kang-chol was equal to the effort, punching the ball behind for a corner.
Iran dominated the remaining minutes but DPR Korea defended in numbers to repel the attacks and protect the victory.
afc.com
A victory for Iran would have cemented their passage to the quarter-finals but first-half goals from Kang Nam-gwon and Jong Kwang-sok secured victory for DPR Korea, who are now level on four points with Syria but ahead of the West Asians on goal difference.
The win was tinged with disappointment, however, with defender Kim Chol-bom sent off for a reckless challenge late on.
With the match pitting together two sides expected to do well at the tournament it was unsurprising that they cancelled each other out during the early exchanges.
But DPR Korea started to get the measure of the Iranian's defence and fired a warning shot after 13 minutes when Choe Myong-song's low drive was just wide of the left upright.
They were ahead seven minutes later though when Kang raced onto a ball into the area and, surrounded by defenders, lashed a powerful shot that gave keeper Masoud Alizadeh no chance.
Armin Naserinejad cleared a shot off the line from a goalmouth scramble as the East Asians pressed for a second and such was DPR Korea's attacking strength that Iran boss Akbar Mohammadi opted to bolster his beleaguered defence with the 26th minute introduction of defender Milad Kanani for midfielder Saeid Aghaei.
But it did little to stem the tide of attacks and instead DPR Korea increased their lead just after the half hour when skipper Jang Ok-chol was fouled 20 yards from goal and Jong expertly curled a free-kick over the wall and into the net.
Jang shot over the bar less than a minute into the second half before Jong attempted to repeat his goal scoring free-kick from earlier but this time Iran keeper Alizadeh was well placed to hold onto the shot.
Iran may have been struggling to break down DPR Korea but they almost halved the deficit with a fine opportunistic strike from skipper Ali Fathian, who hit a shot with the outside of his boot in the 70th minute that bounced off the crossbar.
Ju Jong-chol headed straight at Alizadeh when well placed soon after but things took a bad turn for DPR Korea nine minutes from time when influential defender Kim was shown a straight red card for a foul on the edge of the area.
Fathian struck the resulting free-kick well enough but keeper An Kang-chol was equal to the effort, punching the ball behind for a corner.
Iran dominated the remaining minutes but DPR Korea defended in numbers to repel the attacks and protect the victory.
afc.com
24 October 2010
AFC U-16 - Syria 1-1 DPR Korea
Tashkent: DPR Korea and Syria kicked off their AFC U-16 Championship campaign with an entertaining 1-1 draw at JAR Stadium on Sunday.
The Syrians had made the ideal start with an early strike from Omar Kharbin but it proved something of a false dawn as from then on DPR Korea dominated before equalising in the 59th minute through Ri Kwang-il.
Syria twice had the chance to snatch victory in the final few minutes but a mixture of profligacy and the woodwork ensured the game ended with honours even.
The West Asians were quick out of the blocks and took the lead with just four minutes on the clock when Abd Ebraheem floated an inch perfect corner into the box and Kharbin rose to plant a header above the reach of keeper An Kang-chol and into the back of the net.
DPR Korea had a good chance to respond 15 minutes later when skipper Kang Nam-gwon delivered a low free-kick from the right side of the area into the six-yard box but Jang Ok-chol hit an effort just wide before Syria keeper Shaher Al Shakir had to tip over a Kang header seconds later.
Al Shakir again had to be alert in the 23rd minute to palm over a rasping drive from Kang and then deny a close-range effort from Jang as it seemed just a matter of time for the equaliser to arrive, but Sryia successfully repelled the DPR Korea attacks and chances dried up as the half wore on.
Jang should have done better five minutes into the second half when he controlled the ball inside the box but lashed his shot straight at Al Shakir when a more measured effort would have perhaps been the better option.
But the goal that had been threatening to arrive finally did just before the hour when Choe Chol-ryong whipped in a cross for the unmarked Ri and the substitute stooped to send a low heading into the net.
DPR Korea continued to look the most likely to score again and Al Shakir had to be at his best to push behind a low drive from Ri in the 69th minute.
Syria, meanwhile, had struggled to match their attacking play from early in the first half but had two golden chances to snatch a late winner.
First Hussan Omr was sent through on goal in the 85th minute and although he skipped past the challenge from keeper An his weak shot gave a defender time to get back and clear the danger before substitute Walat Hamadi then ran unchallenged into the area but his powerful shot struck the upright.
afc.com
The Syrians had made the ideal start with an early strike from Omar Kharbin but it proved something of a false dawn as from then on DPR Korea dominated before equalising in the 59th minute through Ri Kwang-il.
Syria twice had the chance to snatch victory in the final few minutes but a mixture of profligacy and the woodwork ensured the game ended with honours even.
The West Asians were quick out of the blocks and took the lead with just four minutes on the clock when Abd Ebraheem floated an inch perfect corner into the box and Kharbin rose to plant a header above the reach of keeper An Kang-chol and into the back of the net.
DPR Korea had a good chance to respond 15 minutes later when skipper Kang Nam-gwon delivered a low free-kick from the right side of the area into the six-yard box but Jang Ok-chol hit an effort just wide before Syria keeper Shaher Al Shakir had to tip over a Kang header seconds later.
Al Shakir again had to be alert in the 23rd minute to palm over a rasping drive from Kang and then deny a close-range effort from Jang as it seemed just a matter of time for the equaliser to arrive, but Sryia successfully repelled the DPR Korea attacks and chances dried up as the half wore on.
Jang should have done better five minutes into the second half when he controlled the ball inside the box but lashed his shot straight at Al Shakir when a more measured effort would have perhaps been the better option.
But the goal that had been threatening to arrive finally did just before the hour when Choe Chol-ryong whipped in a cross for the unmarked Ri and the substitute stooped to send a low heading into the net.
DPR Korea continued to look the most likely to score again and Al Shakir had to be at his best to push behind a low drive from Ri in the 69th minute.
Syria, meanwhile, had struggled to match their attacking play from early in the first half but had two golden chances to snatch a late winner.
First Hussan Omr was sent through on goal in the 85th minute and although he skipped past the challenge from keeper An his weak shot gave a defender time to get back and clear the danger before substitute Walat Hamadi then ran unchallenged into the area but his powerful shot struck the upright.
afc.com
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