DPR Korea win AFC U- 16 Championship

Bangkok: Han Kwang-song and Choe Song-hyok scored in the second half as DPR Korea claimed a record-equalling second AFC U-16 Championship title after completing a 2-1 comeback victory over Korea Republic in Saturday's final at Rajamangala Stadium.

Choi Jae-young's 34th minute header had given Korea Republic the lead as Choi Jin-cheul's side sought to claim a record third AFC U-16 Championship title having advanced to the final with a 100% record.

But after Han equalised for 2010 champions DPR Korea five minutes after half-time, Choe struck with 23 minutes remaining as Yon Kwang-mu's side joined Korea Republic, Japan, China, Saudi Arabia and Oman as two-time winners of the tournament.

Roared on by the biggest crowd of the tournament, both sides started the contest at a frantic pace, although Korea Republic's Ahn Joon-soo was the busier of the two goalkeepers during the opening exchanges as the custodian made a regulation save from Kim Ye-bom's speculative long range effort after eight minutes before watching as Han blazed into the side netting.

Ahn was beaten seven minutes later but Jong Chang-bom had strayed narrowly offside before racing onto Kim Wi-song's through ball, while opposite number Ri Chol-song was soon called into action to make a smart save low to his right from Lee Seung-woo's drive from the edge of the penalty area.

And Ri again blocked from Lee 15 minutes before half-time as the diminutive Barcelona striker rode a challenge before evading another DPR Korea defender and firing goalwards from just outside the area.

With the end-to-end nature of the contest continuing, Korea Republic goalkeeper Ahn then had to deal with a rising strike from Han which the custodian unconvincingly punched to safety.

But despite DPR Korea looking the most likely to break the deadlock, Korea Republic opened the scoring 11 minutes before half-time as Choi Jae-young's glancing header from Lee Sang-heon's right-wing corner looped over Ri.

DPR Korea, though, were level five minutes after the restart as Park Yong-gwan's long angled ball into the area was missed by the Korea Republic defence and Han expertly took one touch to bring the ball down before coolly beating Ahn from the edge of the six yard area.

And Han almost turned provider seven minutes later as Yon Jun-hyok could only direct the strikers pull back just wide of the upright with Ahn scrambling across his goal.

But DPR Korea did claim the lead seven minutes after the hour mark courtesy of another Korea Republic defensive mistake as a through ball was allowed to find Choe, and the striker rifled his shot across Ahn and into the top corner from inside the area.

With time running out Korea Republic quickly pressed for an equaliser and Ri had to be on his toes to block at close range from You Juan with 11 minutes remaining.

But despite Korea Republic continuing to press in the closing stages, they were unable to find a way past a well-organised and disciplined DPR Korea defence and suffered a first defeat of the campaign.

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AFC U16 Final : Korea Rep vs DPR Korea

Bangkok: Coach Choi Jin-cheul is unconcerned by any tactics DPR Korea will employ to combat Korea Republic striker Lee Seung-woo in Saturday's AFC U-16 Championship final.

Barcelona striker Lee has propelled two-time champions Korea Republic to a first AFC U-16 Championship final appearance since 2008 after scoring a tournament-leading five goals in just four games.

Lee was marked heavily during Korea Republic's semi-final success over Syria, and while the striker only netted a second-half penalty, he was still able to contribute four assists as Choi's side maintained their 100% record with an impressive 7-1 win.

"Lee Seung-woo is a creative player and we expect defences to man-mark him, but that creates more space for other players to use. And when defenders only look for him, our other players make smart use of the space so Lee Seung-woo is able to make many assists. And the second half against Syria was a good example of this," said former intentional centre-back Choi (pictured), who played for Korea Republic at the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and 2006.

"I think DPR Korea will man-mark while also using a joint defence. For Lee Seung-woo, I think DPR Korea will be aggressive so he needs to be careful. We need to prepare to face both man-marking and joint defence. DPR Korea also presses for the ball well so the key will be how we escape from these situations."

Korea Republic had earlier topped their group following wins over Oman, Malaysia and hosts Thailand before Lee scored twice to down Japan 2-0 in their quarter-final.

DPR Korea striker Han Kwang-song, meanwhile, scored in all three group stage games for his side as the 2010 champions beat Kuwait and Nepal either side of a narrow defeat by defending champions Uzbekistan.

And DPR Korea ensured a return to the final after edging our Iran and Australia on penalties in the knockout stage following a pair of hard-fought draws.

"Over the last two days I have watched DPR Korea's matches, and I think if we play our style, I am confident. We need to play at a fast pace and also our movement will be very important against DPR Korea," added Choi.

"Throughout the group stage and quarter-final. I watched DPR Korea's number nine Han and I know him very well. I also think DPR Korea have many players who have a good attacking style and they are also quick and physically strong, and I need to make sure I pick my best 11 players for the match."

For former centre-back Choi the final represents the first major challenge of his coaching career having spent three years as an assistant at Gangwon in Korea Republic's top-flight between 2009-2012 before joining the Korean Football Association set-up.

"I have nerves as it is a final because this is the first time to play in the final of a big competition. It is an honour to be the coach in a final. In the previous matches I was also nervous and shouted at the players, but I feel like I am getting better with every match, and for the final I feel like I can manage it better," said Choi, who has also worked with Korea Republic's U-13, U-14 and U-15 sides since joining the Korean Football Association as a coach in 2012.

"I think as a coach it is different than as a player because as a player you only need to think about yourself and manage yourself, but as a coach you have to think about all the players including the substitutes.

"I want to share my experiences of playing in big tournaments with the players to help them relax.

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AFC U-16 Championship Semifinal - DPR Korea vs Australia

Bangkok: Coach Yon Kwang-mu admits DPR Korea will struggle to replace the quality of suspended striker Han Kwang-song in Wednesday's AFC U-16 Championship semi-final against Australia.

Han netted in all three Group C games as DPR Korea beat Kuwait and Nepal either side of a defeat by Uzbekistan.

But the striker picked up a second yellow card of the campaign in Sunday's goalless draw with Iran as Yon's side eventually prevailed in the quarter-final tie on penalties, and Han, pictured in action against Kuwait, will watch from the stands at Rajamangala Stadium as 2010 champions DPR Korea seek a return to the final.

"We have substitute players, although they are not as good as Han, but we do have substitute players," said Yon.

"But we now feel comfortable compared to before the quarter-final. The team is enjoying this time and is very relaxed. Before the match with Iran there was a lot of pressure, but now we are more relaxed."

DPR Korea had earlier finished second in Group C behind Uzbekistan, while fellow 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifiers Australia head into the semi-final with a 100% record after edging out Malaysia 2-1 in their quarter-final.

"Australia have reached this stage after coming through the group stage and quarter-final so that shows they are very strong, so we will make careful plans so that we can win the game," added Yon.

"They will be physically strong and have good technique and skills as they follow the same structure as the Australia national team. Australia might be physically stronger, but we need to win with our mental strength and this is created by a good team spirit. Our team spirit is very important and I always stress the need for mental power."

Australia secured their return to the semi-finals of the AFC U-16 Championship for the first time since 2010 after goals from Cameron Joice and Daniel Maskin secured a comeback win over Malaysia at the weekend at a stifling hot Muangthong Stadium.

"We have qualified for the World Cup, but now you come to this stage and we want to go all the way," said Australia coach Tony Vidmar.

"DPR Korea are not a bad team and they have some good players up front who can be dangerous, so we just need to make sure we have a good game plan. We saw their game against Iran and have got an idea of what to expect.

"We had identified Han as a very good player, he creates a lot for them. His movement is very good and he holds up the ball and makes runs off the ball, and he will be a loss for them. He was one we would look to restrict service into him, but it still won't change how we go about things."

Despite having also won their group with wins over China, Hong Kong and Japan, Vidmar was critical of Australia's amount of unforced errors and cheap turnover of possession against Malaysia, having levelled similar criticisms at his side during the group stage.

"DPR Korea will be very similar to China and Hong Kong as they have their block as they play 4-4-2 when they don't have the ball and 4-2-4 when they do have possession, so we need to keep possession and find those moments when we can go forward. It is going to be a good test to see what information the players have taken on and how they can execute it," added Vidmar.

"Some of the boys are still tired as the last game was probably the hottest since we have been here, but we will give it everything."

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AFC U-16 Championship - DPR Korea in Group C

Bangkok: Hosts and former champions Thailand have been handed a tough group when they were drawn in Group A with two-time winners Korea Republic, Oman, who won this championship in 1996 and 2000, and Malaysia in the AFC U-16 Championship 2014 to be held in Bangkok in September this year.

The 16-nation competition will be played from September 6 to 20 with the top four teams will qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup to be played in Chile next year.

Thailand, who won this championship in 1998 beating hosts Qatar on penalties, will take on Malaysia in the opening match on September 6.

Defending champions Uzbekistan were pitted against Kuwait, DPR Korea and Nepal while last edition’s runners-up Japan, who won this title twice in 1994 and 2006, were drawn in Group B along with Australia, two-time champions China and Hong Kong.

Group D comprises of former winners and last edition’s hosts Iran, Syria, two-time champions Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

THE GROUPINGS

Group A: Thailand, Korea Republic, Oman, Malaysia

Group B: Japan, Australia, China, Hong Kong

Group C: Uzbekistan, Kuwait, DPR Korea, Nepal

Group D: Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar

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