Korean heroines talk celebrations & semi-finals

“I knew I was going to score, and what a great feeling it was when I did!”

Ja Un-Yong was still on a high as she spoke to FIFA.com just a few minutes after notching a stoppage-time winner for Korea DPR against Ghana to book her team’s place in the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

In a decidedly tense affair, the North Koreans appeared to be in control of the quarter-final showdown until their African opponents conjured up an equaliser with under ten minutes to play. But as the final seconds ticked by, and the spectre of a penalty shoot-out loomed, Ja Un-Yong pounced on a loose ball in the box. Her dramatic goal secured a memorable victory for the winners of the inaugural U-17 Women’s World Cup, whose last-four appearance is a major improvement on their performance at Costa Rica 2014, where they exited at the group stage.

“We’re here to lift the trophy,” was Ja's decisive verdict. “We performed really well and we deserved to win today. The result was up in the air until the last few seconds, but I knew we were capable of finding a goal before the final whistle went.”

The precocious forward has played a part in all four of Korea DPR’s matches, coming off the bench each time. Her coach, Sin Jong-Bok, regards her as an impact substitute, a role in which the 15-year-old has never disappointed her team-mates and coach.

“I’ve got used to coming on in the second half,” she said. “When I join my team-mates out on the pitch, I try my best to carry out the coach’s instructions, whether I’m attacking or defending. Today, that worked out for me, because I scored the winning goal. I feel like I’m dreaming, and I hope to continue dreaming until we lift the trophy. To achieve that goal, we have to first beat Venezuela in the semi-finals.”

A special celebration
Sitting beside her in the interview, Kim Pom-Ui, who had been listening intently to her compatriot, allowed herself a few seconds of thought before assessing her own role in Korea DPR's latest victory. “It was a hard-fought win, but the most important thing at the end of the day is that we got the result we needed," she said. "My task is to create opportunities and provide our attackers with good service, but if I get a chance to score, I don’t hesitate.”

The young midfielder has become known for her remarkable composure at crucial moments during this tournament; when she and her team-mates trailed to England during the group stage, for example, she calmly equalised with a well-struck free-kick. Against Ghana, that coolness was in evidence again as she slotted home a high-pressure penalty kick at a decisive moment.

The talented No9 was part of the North Korean squad that travelled to Costa Rica 2014, and although she remained on the bench throughout, it increased her experience and boosted her confidence. “I got a taste of the atmosphere,” she said. “I was young, but once I got back home, I kept working away at training to earn a spot in the team. And now we’re in the semi-finals.”

Kim Pom-Ui’s enhanced confidence saw her notch four goals at the 2015 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship, from which Korea DPR emerged victorious. “After that tournament, our goal was to reach the U-17 World Cup and go as far as possible. We’re not going to stop here; we want to go all the way.”

There are just two more hurdles for the North Korean playmaker and her team-mates to negotiate before that they can achieve that objective, at which time fans may get another look at the entertaining celebration that followed her goal on Thursday. “We’d already agreed to do it if I scored. I put away the penalty and then I stretched my arms out like a plane and ran, and the girls all copied me. I’m sure it looked great, and we hope to get the chance to repeat it in our upcoming matches."

http://www.fifa.com/u17womensworldcup/news/y=2016/m=10/news=korean-heroines-talk-celebrations-semi-finals-2843636.html

Philippine Azkals bow to North Korea in friendly, 3-1

By Paolo Del Rosario, CNN Philippines

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Philippine Azkals fell to North Korea, 3-1, in their international friendly match on Monday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

It was their first meeting since the Philippines dumped North Korea, 3-2, out of the FIFA World Cup Qualifying tournament last March.

In the prematch press conference, the coaches of both sides said that the friendly was to prepare for future tournaments.

The Philippines got off to a rough start in the match, with North Korea taking a 2-0 advantage into the halftime break

Pak Kwang Ryong got North Korea on the scoreboard after his header from a corner kick found the back of the net at the 11th minute mark.

Things got worse for the Philippines towards the end of the half, after North Korea doubled their lead through Pak Song Chol at the 38th minute.

The second half did not provide respite for the Filipinos, who conceded another goal in the 67th minute from Jong Gwan.

Substitute Iain Ramsay ensured that the Azkals would not end the day without getting on the scoreboard, after chipping the North Korean keeper in the 76th minute pull the score back 3-1.

The goal reinvigorated the Azkals, but their late second half push failed to yield anymore goals.

http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2016/10/11/philippine-azkals-bow-to-north-korea-in-friendly.html

October 10 Friendly : Philippines 1-3 DPR Korea

October 6 Friendly, Vietnam 5-2 DPR Korea . YouTube - Full match

FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup : DPR Korea 1-0 Brazil

Zarqa: DPR Korea edged Brazil 1-0 in a tightly-contested encounter at the Prince Mohammed International Stadium in Zarqa in Group C at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Jordan 2016, thanks to Ri Hae-yon's 71st-minute goal.

DPR Korea looked the most likely to score as they demonstrated fluid movement in attack but Brazil's defence played a physical game and were up to the challenge. What Brazil had in defence they lacked up front as head coach Luizao's team struggled to produce any threatening chances on the DPR Korea goal. 

Ko Kyong-hui came closest to scoring in the first half for DPR Korea when her fiercely struck effort from about 16 yards out crashed off Brazil's crossbar. DPR Korea coach Sin Jong-bok made a tactical substitution on the half-hour, bringing on Pyon Ung-gyong for Jang Suk-yong.

Shortly after half-time, DPR Korea looked even more threatening and forward Ri almost put her side in front but she flashed her header a foot wide of the upright. For large spells of the second half, both teams lost possession more than they would have liked with several fouls suffered by both sides.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 71st minute when Ri tucked in a low, right-footed shot into the corner from a cross sent in on the ground by substitute Ja Un-yong. Ko pulled off a neat dummy in the build-up to the goal to disguise a shot and open up space for Ri to score her first goal of the tournament and what would eventually prove to be the winner.

Group C has proven to be one of the hardest groups to call with every team still in with a chance of qualification to the knockout phase heading into the final matchday on Saturday when DPR Korea will face Nigeria in Amman and Brazil will take on England in Irbid at the same time (16:00 local).

DPR Korea coach Sin Jong-bok
Although we’re top of the group after today’s win, nothing has yet been decided. We need to prepare well for the next match against Nigeria and get a good result from that game. I knew before the tournament began that ours would be one of the toughest and most evenly-matched groups, and the first two rounds of matches have proven that. I didn’t expect Brazil to be so defensive today. We weren’t prepared for that but we adapted well. The best team doesn’t always win in football, as today’s game between England and Nigeria showed. That’s why I’m delighted we were able to find a way through today and score that vital goal.

Brazil coach Luizao
We knew it would be a tough game against DPR Korea. Our defenders worked hard in the first half, but we occasionally lost our shape after the break. Unfortunately we were unable to keep out the goal despite the fact that DPR Korea scored in exactly the same way against England, which we'd watched on video. But we lacked concentration a little at that point. The difference for DPR Korea today was that they converted their chances better and scored a goal and we didn’t. We’ve got to have greater possession in the next match and dominate play. If we can do that, we’ll beat England.

Sources: FIFA.com, FIFA/Getty Images

http://www.the-afc.com/fifa-u-17-womens-world-cup-2016/fifa-u-17-womens-world-cup-brazil-0-1-dpr-korea

DPR Korea qualify for AFC U-16 Champiosnhip semifinals

Goa: Captain Kim Pom-hyok equalised late then scored the decisive spot kick as holders DPR Korea kept their AFC U-16 Championship defence alive and booked a semi-final date with the Islamic Republic of Iran after seeing off Oman 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the last eight on Monday.

An even opening 45 minutes at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium saw DPR Korea's Yun Min miss from the spot, before substitute Muadh Al Jahdhami put Oman in front on 79 minutes.

But the East Asians hit back five minutes later through Pom-hyok and with no further goals the tie was decided on penalties.

Both sides netted two of their first three spot kicks but after Cha Kwang put the Koreans 3-2 to the good Al Jahdhami missed and Kim Pom-hyok kept his composure to secure a 4-2 shootout victory.

The win also guaranteed DPR Korea’s progression to the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup as one of the tournament’s four highest-placed finishers.

Oman had the first strike on target when three-goal forward Arshad Al Alawi’s low drive from distance was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Sin Tae-song on 13 minutes.

The East Asians hit back almost immediately as the outstretched Pom-hyok fired just over after getting on the end of Yun's corner from the right.

As an open game ensued Thamir Al Zaabi drew Sin Tae-song into a low diving save from 15 yards in the 13th minute before DPR Korea were awarded a penalty midway through the half.

Khalid Al Baraa’s shove on the recently introduced Ri Kang-guk earned the defender a yellow card, but Yun was unable to take advantage as his spot kick struck the outside of the left post and parity was maintained.

Yun then tried to make amends on the half hour when he lashed in a powerful effort from 25 yards that was parried out by ‘keeper Yousuf Al Sheyadi.

DPR Korea keep getting better says boss Yun Jong-su

And the Koreans should have gone into the interval a goal to the good but Pom-hyok headed Han Kyong-hun’s delivery from the left straight at Al Sheyadi in first-half stoppage time.

Oman had their best chance of the game eight minutes after the restart when Mohammed Al Alawi cut back to unmarked Al Jahdhami, whose left-foot effort from 15 yards sailed over the crossbar.

With the tie firmly in the balance it was the East Asians who had the next sight on goal 65 minutes in as Sin Kwang-sok slipped in Kye Tam only for the midfielder to scuff narrowly wide.

But as the half wore on it was Oman who looked the more likely to open the scoring and so it proved with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Mohammed Al Alawi again played in Al Jahdhami and the forward cut in from the right before firing low past Sin Tae-song to spark joyous celebrations on the Oman bench.

The goal spurred the defending champions into life, though, and Pom-hyok levelled on 84 minutes after heading home Kwang-sok’s inch-perfect cross from the right.

With no extra-time played at the AFC youth tournament, the tie went directly to penalties and Kye struck first for DPR Korea before Tae-song saved from Arshad Al Alawi’s to allow Yun to open up a two-goal advantage.

Mohammed Al Qaidi netted and Al Sheyadi tipped Kim Kyong-sok's effort onto the bar before Yousuf Al Malki restored parity at 2-2.

Cha put the Koreans back in front before Al Jahdhami struck the woodwork and Pom-hyok put DPR Korea into the semi-final.

http://www.the-afc.com/u-16-championship-2016/dpr-korea-qualify-for-afc-u-16-championship-semi-finals

AFC U-16 Championship : DPR Korea 2-0 Yemen

Goa: Kim Pom-hyok’s double helped get defending champions DPR Korea off to a winning start at the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 as the East Asians secured a 2-0 scoreline over Yemen in Group D on Saturday.

Neither side was able to break the deadlock in a hard-fought opening 45 minutes at GMC Stadium, but the holders took control after the interval and opened the scoring on the hour through captain Kim Pom-hyok.

The influential skipper then fired in a fine free-kick from distance to double his side’s tally, before Yemen substitute Muneef Jassar missed from the spot as DPR Korea saw out a comfortable victory.

Cheered on by a noisy contingent of Yemen fans in the stands, the match began in even fashion with Kim Hwi-hwang and Yousef Kandash exchanging off-target efforts at either end inside the opening 10 minutes.

Abdullah Hussein was more accurate with a free-kick from the left before the quarter-hour mark but his shot did not overly trouble DPR Korea goalkeeper Sin Tae-song who was alert to the danger.

On 22 minutes Murad Murshed slipped in Abdullah Zahrah, who stepped inside his marker but his shot was smothered by Sin Tae-song who dove low to his right. 

Unable to call on suspended midfielders Kye Tam and Paek Kwang-min, the East Asians began to gain a stronghold on the game as the half hour approached and Kim Chung-jin should have hit the target when he headed Yun Min’s corner from the left over the crossbar from eight yards.

DPR Korea came out full of purpose after the restart and were rewarded with the opening goal of the game after 60 minutes.

Yun Min played a lovely diagonal ball over the top towards Kim Pom-hyok and the captain turned defender Ahmed Abdulghani before coolly slotting under outrushing goalkeeper Aiman Al Suraihi.

With the game now being played out almost entirely in the Yemen half the holders should have doubled their advantage three minutes later but the unchallenged Sin Kwang-sok failed to hit the target from six yards after being picked out by Kung Jin-song.

DPR Korea then gave Yemen a mountain to climb on 75 minutes when the captain curled in a well-struck free-kick from fully 35 yards beyond the reach of Al Suraihi.

But Yemen were handed a lifeline with 12 minutes remaining when they were awarded a penalty after Ri Il-ju brought down substitute Jassar, only for the frontman to see his spot kick saved by Sin Tae-song low to his right.

Kim Pom-hyok then could have scored his hat-trick in the final five minutes but his header from Yun’s corner was pushed out by Al Suhairi.

DPR Korea coach Yun Jong-su:
"This match wasn’t so good for us as the players didn’t play to the level I expected. The Yemen team were good in defence and attack, and they created a lot of chances in the first half. 

"We came back in the second half and managed to score two goals. We changed some positions and focused more on our forwards and moved players to the front so we could play more attacking. Kim Pom-hyok started out in defence but he is strong and fast so we moved him forward and he managed to score two goals."

Yemen coach Amen Al Sunaini:
"I knew it was going to be tough, especially against the champions. Our preparation wasn’t great because of the situation in Yemen. Maybe we were not lucky but I’m happy with the spirit and the performance of the players. 

"DPR Korea is a very tough team – I’m not happy with the result but I am happy with the way we fought. We were playing against a team that is very strong physically and they have very fast players. I hope the next match will be better for us."

Photos: AFC, Lagardère Sports

http://www.the-afc.com/u-16-championship-2016/afc-u-16-championship-dpr-korea-2-0-yemen