AFC President's Cup : Rimyongsu Club 4-0 Sheikh Russel

Colombo: Rimyongsu Club booked their place in the AFC President's Cup final with a comfortable 4-0 win over Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra Limited of Bangladesh in Wednesday's final Group B tie at Sugathadasa Stadium.

Ri Jin-hyok opened the scoring after 30 minutes for the North Korean club before captain Pak Song-chol netted a sublime free-kick before the half-time break. Ro Hak-su and Kim Kyong-il then added further goals in the second half to give Rimyongsu a second convincing victory of the tournament after they had crushed FC Erchim of Mongolia 5-0 on Monday.
As a result, Rimyongsu top Group B with six points, with Sheikh Russel runners-up a further three behind and Erchim, without a point, bottom of the table.

Rimyongsu will now advance to Friday's final to play the winner of Group A for the right to be named the last-ever AFC President's Cup champion.
"We had a lot of confidence after our first match and this gave us a good base for today's game with the players putting on a similarly pleasing performance," said Rimyongsu coach Jo Tong-sop.
"Pak is very skilful on free-kicks, he practices a lot, and he's always our main set-piece taker. We know if there is any dead-ball within striking distance then he will always be a threat.
"We will now study our possible opponents for the final and work on any potential weaknesses. Both teams have to ensure they are prepared to our maximum for the championship game."
Despite coming into the winner-takes-all tie just 48 hours since they kicked off their opening match, Rimyongsu were the more adventurous side from the start, with Sheikh Russel looking to sit deep and hit target-man Kingsley Chigozie with long balls from the back.

Pak, who had scored a stunning free-kick against Erchim, gave early warning of his threat from set-pieces on 14 minutes with an in-swinging effort from near the left-hand corner flag that forced an athletic save from Sheikh Russel goalkeeper Mamun Khan, clawing the ball away from under his crossbar.

And Khan was called into action just five minutes later, as he pulled off a double save to deny first Ri Sang-chol and then the onrushing Ri Hyok following up on the loose ball.
But on the half-hour mark, Rimyongsu's relentless pressure finally told as Ri Jin-hyok latched onto a low, skimming cross from Ri Chang-ho with a flying header that left Khan helpless for the striker's third goal in two games.

And on the stroke of half-time, Rimyongsu doubled their lead after Rezaul Karim fouled Pak 20-yards out of goal and the skipper dusted himself off before punishing the infringement in the most clinical fashion: a sumptuous strike that flew into the top-right hand corner with Khan rooted to his line.

Rimyongsu made the score line 3-0 just five minutes after the re-start as full-back Ro's smart combination with Ri Sang-chol saw the former played through on goal and he finished confidently past Khan.

Substitute Kim further increased the lead before the hour mark as Karim, wary of his earlier booking, backed off the striker who advanced into the penalty area and, despite stumbling momentarily, was able to slam the ball home for his side's fourth goal of the afternoon.
With Sheikh Russel now facing a mammoth task, and the heat beginning to take its toll on both sides, Rimyongsu were able to comfortably see out the remaining minutes of the match to seal another impressive victory and march on to Friday's final.

"I didn't expect a score line like this; we made a few mistakes and got punished. Rimyongsu are a very strong side and that's why they are going to the final," said Sheikh Russel coach Sheikh Mohammad Zakaria.

"We learnt a lot from this tournament and we will take on board these lessons and we will improve in the future."

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AFC President's Cup : Rimyongsu Club (DPR Korea) vs Erchim FC (Mongolia)

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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Football: AFC Presidents Cup to host in Sri Lanka from 21st September

Sri Lanka Air Force has qualified to play in this year fina round
and altogether 6 teams will play for the championship in 2 groups. The group champions will play in the finals.

The group stage was held in Colombo in May and as a request of the FFSL President Mr. Ranjith Rodrigo the finals will be staged in Sri Lanka giving an opportunity for local fans to see some exciting international club championship.

The following teams have qualified and the matches will kick off at 1.00pm the first match and at 4.00 pm the second match at Sugathadasa Stadium Colombo.

Group A

Sri Lanka Air Force
FC HUTU-Turkministhan
Manang Marshyangdi Club – Nepal

Group B

Shiek Russel Krara Chakra Ltd-Bangladesh
Rimyoungsu Club -Peoples Republic of Korea
Erchim FC -Mongolia

Read more: http://www.cricturf.com/other/football/football-afc-presidents-cup-host-sri-lanka-21st-september.html#ixzz3DUqEojGQ

Yon yearns for continental glory

Bangkok: Coach Yon Kwang-mu insists DPR Korea will do everything in their power to win the AFC U-16 Championship after securing a place in the semi-finals following a dramatic penalty shootout victory in the quarter-finals against Iran on Sunday.

Chances were few and far between as the two teams played out a tense 0-0 draw at a wet Muangthong Stadium.

But after Han Kwang-song, Kim Wi-song, Kim Ye-Bom and Ri Kuk-hyon all scored for the 2010 champions, DPR Korea advanced to Wednesday's semi-final with Australia as Nima Daghestani and Reza Shekari missed for Group D winners Iran.

"I'm not sure if we will have the chance to win the tournament, but both the players and I will do everything we can to try and do so," said DPR Korea coach Yon (pictured).

"We didn't expect to have penalties; we were just thinking of winning so since we arrived here we have not been practicing. We did practice back home, but not here."

The win also secured DPR Korea qualification for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

"The match was very important as it decided whether we go to the World Cup. All my country were watching and expecting us to win," added Yon.

"My players went into this game with one mind."

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