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
27 October 2010
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
22 October 2010
North Korea friendly match may fail
A planned friendly match between Indonesia and North Korea in Jakarta on Nov. 10 may not materialize as the visitors are reluctant to bring in their World Cup team.
Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) said on Thursday North Korea would field its under-23 players although the match was sanctioned by the world soccer governing body FIFA.
“North Korea insist on sending their U-23 team, although the international friendly is part of FIFA matchday,” PSSI secretary general Nugraha Besoes was quoted by kompas.com on Thursday.
Indonesia has arranged a series of international friendly matches as part of its warm-up for the AFF Cup competition it will host in December. In the first match on Oct. 8 Indonesia crashed to a 7-1 defeat to Uruguay, but bounced back to beat Maldives 3-0 last week.
North Korea will be a substitute for Ivory Coast, which declined Indonesia’s offer.
Jakarta Post
Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) said on Thursday North Korea would field its under-23 players although the match was sanctioned by the world soccer governing body FIFA.
“North Korea insist on sending their U-23 team, although the international friendly is part of FIFA matchday,” PSSI secretary general Nugraha Besoes was quoted by kompas.com on Thursday.
Indonesia has arranged a series of international friendly matches as part of its warm-up for the AFF Cup competition it will host in December. In the first match on Oct. 8 Indonesia crashed to a 7-1 defeat to Uruguay, but bounced back to beat Maldives 3-0 last week.
North Korea will be a substitute for Ivory Coast, which declined Indonesia’s offer.
Jakarta Post
20 October 2010
Team for VFF Cup in Vietnam
Head of delegation: Kim Myong Chol
Head coach: Jo Chol in
Assistants: Choe Song Chol, Jon Man Ho
Doctor: An Jong Hyok
The players:
Ri Myong Guk (GK), Ri Kang (GK); Mun In Guk; Ji Yun Nam, Kim Myong Gil, Han Kyong Gwang; Kim Kyong Il, Ri Hyong Mu; Pak Chol Jin, Kang Chol Guk; Ro Hak Su, Kang Chol Ryong; Hong Kum Song, Myong Cha Hyon, Ri Jin Hyok; Ri Pyong Chol; Jong Il Ju; Al Bom Il, Ri Myong Jun; Rim Chol Min, Ri Sang Chol, Sim Hyon Jin.
Vietnam FA
Teams: Vietnam NT, Singapore NT, Korea DPR NT and South Korea U23
Venue: My Dinh Stadium, Ha Noi.
Schedule:
November 2:
Singapore v North Korea
Vietnam v South Korea U23
November 4:
North Korea v South Korea U23
Vietnam v Singapore
November 6:
Singapore v South Korea U23
Vietnam v North Korea
Head coach: Jo Chol in
Assistants: Choe Song Chol, Jon Man Ho
Doctor: An Jong Hyok
The players:
Ri Myong Guk (GK), Ri Kang (GK); Mun In Guk; Ji Yun Nam, Kim Myong Gil, Han Kyong Gwang; Kim Kyong Il, Ri Hyong Mu; Pak Chol Jin, Kang Chol Guk; Ro Hak Su, Kang Chol Ryong; Hong Kum Song, Myong Cha Hyon, Ri Jin Hyok; Ri Pyong Chol; Jong Il Ju; Al Bom Il, Ri Myong Jun; Rim Chol Min, Ri Sang Chol, Sim Hyon Jin.
Vietnam FA
Teams: Vietnam NT, Singapore NT, Korea DPR NT and South Korea U23
Venue: My Dinh Stadium, Ha Noi.
Schedule:
November 2:
Singapore v North Korea
Vietnam v South Korea U23
November 4:
North Korea v South Korea U23
Vietnam v Singapore
November 6:
Singapore v South Korea U23
Vietnam v North Korea
17 October 2010
Asian Champions !
Zibo: Jong Il-gwan scored a hat-trick as DPR Korea edged a thrilling AFC U-19 Championship final against Australia 3-2 at Zibo Sports Centre Stadium on Sunday for their second title in four years.
In what was a fine advertisement for Asian youth football, Jong (pictured) grabbed his first of the night early in the first half before the balance of play swung in Australia’s favour as Kerem Bulut scored twice in four minutes.
However, the Koreans equalised just before the break through Jong and the striker – comfortably the star performer of the night – grabbed the winner shortly before full time with an instinctive strike following a mistake by Australia keeper Mark Birighitti.
DPR Korea’s impressive performance at the tournament has been built on a solid defence that had been breached just once prior to the game and they ensured Australia had their work cut out by taking the lead in the 10th minute.
Jong picked up the ball just outside the area before embarking on a mazy run through the Young Socceroos’ defence, dodging the legs of defenders before hitting a low shot beyond Birighitti.
Australia had a golden chance to level matters just eight minutes later though when DPR Korea goalkeeper Om Jin-song punched a cross straight at skipper Ben Kantarovski but his shot struck a defender.
They were not to be denied in the 25th minute, however, when a cross was whipped in from the left and striker Bulut directed a powerful header beyond the reach of Om and into the bottom right corner of the goal.
It got even better for the Australians when they took the lead just four minutes later. FC Utrecht’s Tommy Oar danced his way through the DPR Korea defence and though his shot was initially denied by Om, the ball fell kindly to Bulut who side-footed home for his seventh goal of the tournament.
The twists and turns of the first half continued though as DPR Korea equalised two minutes before the break when Jong knocked the ball beyond Daniel Bowles to give himself a free run on goal and although his powerful low drive struck a defender, the ball ballooned over a hapless Birighitti and into the back of the net.
After such an enthralling first 45 minutes it was no surprise that the second half got underway at a much slower pace and for first 15 minutes play was largely contested in midfield.
Pak Song-chol dragged a shot wide for DPR Korea after 62 minutes before Australia’s Mustafa Amini rifled a shot the wrong side of the left post soon after but those were two of very few chances as the game seemed destined for extra time.
But a howler from Birighitti gifted DPR Korea the winner two minutes from time when he fumbled a harmless-looking cross and the ball fell at the feet of Jong, who superbly lifted a shot over retreating defenders and into the net.
afc.com
In what was a fine advertisement for Asian youth football, Jong (pictured) grabbed his first of the night early in the first half before the balance of play swung in Australia’s favour as Kerem Bulut scored twice in four minutes.
However, the Koreans equalised just before the break through Jong and the striker – comfortably the star performer of the night – grabbed the winner shortly before full time with an instinctive strike following a mistake by Australia keeper Mark Birighitti.
DPR Korea’s impressive performance at the tournament has been built on a solid defence that had been breached just once prior to the game and they ensured Australia had their work cut out by taking the lead in the 10th minute.
Jong picked up the ball just outside the area before embarking on a mazy run through the Young Socceroos’ defence, dodging the legs of defenders before hitting a low shot beyond Birighitti.
Australia had a golden chance to level matters just eight minutes later though when DPR Korea goalkeeper Om Jin-song punched a cross straight at skipper Ben Kantarovski but his shot struck a defender.
They were not to be denied in the 25th minute, however, when a cross was whipped in from the left and striker Bulut directed a powerful header beyond the reach of Om and into the bottom right corner of the goal.
It got even better for the Australians when they took the lead just four minutes later. FC Utrecht’s Tommy Oar danced his way through the DPR Korea defence and though his shot was initially denied by Om, the ball fell kindly to Bulut who side-footed home for his seventh goal of the tournament.
The twists and turns of the first half continued though as DPR Korea equalised two minutes before the break when Jong knocked the ball beyond Daniel Bowles to give himself a free run on goal and although his powerful low drive struck a defender, the ball ballooned over a hapless Birighitti and into the back of the net.
After such an enthralling first 45 minutes it was no surprise that the second half got underway at a much slower pace and for first 15 minutes play was largely contested in midfield.
Pak Song-chol dragged a shot wide for DPR Korea after 62 minutes before Australia’s Mustafa Amini rifled a shot the wrong side of the left post soon after but those were two of very few chances as the game seemed destined for extra time.
But a howler from Birighitti gifted DPR Korea the winner two minutes from time when he fumbled a harmless-looking cross and the ball fell at the feet of Jong, who superbly lifted a shot over retreating defenders and into the net.
afc.com
15 October 2010
DPR Korea 2-0 Korea Rep
Zibo: DPR Korea sealed their place in the final of the AFC U-19 Championship for the second time in four years as they defeated neighbours Korea Republic 2-0 at Zibo Sports Centre Stadium on Thursday.
Jong Il-kwan opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time before Ri Hyok-chol added a late second to set-up a meeting with Australia on Sunday.
The defeat for Korea Republic means the 11-time champions have now crashed out at the semi-final stage in the last three tournaments.
After a tentative start from both sides Korea Republic were the first to forge an opportunity in the 10th minute when Ji Dong-won rose higher than his marker but could only direct a weaker header straight into the hands of keeper Om Jin-song.
DPR Korea had yet to trouble No Dong-geon in the opposite goal although Mun Hyok forced Hwang Do-yeon to make a last-ditch clearance after muscling his way into the area to chase onto a long pass from midfield.
The game was slowly creaking into life as the half wore on as first Kim Kyung-jung sent a header wide for Korea Republic after 20 minutes before Jang Kuk-chol drove a low effort into the hands of No five minutes later.
Yun Il-gwan was running riot down the right wing for DPR Korea and he almost produced the opening goal 10 minutes before the break when he skipped the challenge of a defender to run into the area but drove his shot from an angle straight at No.
DPR Korea were dominating the latter stages of the half and they dealt a huge psychological blow to their rivals by taking the lead on the stroke of half time.
Yun Jong-su’s side were awarded a free-kick on the left side of the area and Ri Hyong-jin whipped the ball in towards the near post where Jong flicked a powerful header into the back of the net.
They almost added a second immediately into the second half when Jong found himself in space inside the area but No did well to gather the forward’s rasping drive at the second attempt.
But DPR Korea had to be alert at the other end of the pitch in the 55th minute when a free-kick was played to the far post where Hwang was left unmarked but his downward header was denied by Om.
Eager to protect their slender lead DPR Korea went on the defensive and consequently Korea Republic enjoyed a period of dominance, although they were finding themselves continually frustrated by a defence that had been breached only once before at the tournament.
And it was heartbreak for Korea Republic though 12 minutes from time when Hwang hit a back pass to No far too short and substitute Ri Hyok-chol was quick to pounce on his error, knocking the ball beyond the goalkeeper and then side-footing home to wrap up the victory.
Source :afc.com
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