DPR Korea in semis

Panaji

: DPR Korea flattered for the first 30 minutes, then floundered before finishing with a flourish against

Oman

in their U-16

AFC

Championship quarterfinal clash at the Nehru stadium, Fatorda, on Monday.

The Chollimas packed a lot of pace and occupied a lot of space as they threatened to devour their opponents right from kick-off.

However, they suffered a sudden setback in the 80th minute but fought back with tenacity to level scores four minutes later. With no further breakthrough on either side until the end of regulation time, the match had to be decided via the tiebreaker where the North Koreans came up trumps. Four strikes on target against Oman’s 2 (4-2) ensured their place in the semifinals as well as a berth in the 2017 Fifa U-17 World Cup in India.

Ironically, though North Korea went on the rampage from kickoff and held sway for the first half an hour, it was Oman who were the first to have a close look at goal. They played the waiting game and sprung to life on counter-attacks. Shots from forwards Mohammed Al-Alawi and Thamir Al Zaabi ensured Sin Tae Song was kept busy under the North Korean bar.

The Oman defence almost crumbled under pressure in the 22nd minute when defender Al Baraa Khalid Al Mawali brought down substitute Ri Kang after he beat him to an aerial duel in the box and was poised for a finish. Referee Sukhbir Singh awarded North Koreans a penalty. Fortunately for the villain Al Baraa, Yun Min sent the ball into right post from the spot, thus throwing away a golden opportunity to give his team the lead.

Oman conjured up another scoring opportunity from yet another swift counter-attack in the 25th minute but forward Muatasim Mustafa Albakri turned selfish as he shot straight into the goalkeeper even as two of his teammates were free of any markers and in scoring positions.

Korea continued their hunt for the lead and almost struck home in the 30th and 45th minutes only to meet with disappointment as goalkeeper Yousuf came up with timely saves to deny Yun Min and Han Kyong Hun.

Oman returned a more organized side after the crossover. They won more balls in midfield and used the long ball effectively. Even as they probed and ploughed their way into the Korean box with midfielder Mohammed Al-Alawi and Arshan Said combining well along with substitute Muadh Yahya Al Jahdhami, it was Kye Tam’s effort that created panic in the Oman goalmouth in the 65th minute. Tam picked a through ball from substitute Paek Kwang Min on the right and sent a crisp grounder to the far left corner. However, goalkeeper Yousuf lunged with desperation and managed to get his fingers to the ball to deflect it for a corner.
Then came the stunner in the 80th minute. The mercurial midfielder Mohammed Al-Alaawi harnessed substitute Muadh on the right flank. The lean but skilful striker, side-stepped a defender, positioned himself and fired a low left footer into the narrow gap between the first post and goalkeeper Song.

Stung by the reverse, North Korea sprung back into action and even before the Omani bench soaked in their joy, the Chollimas struck back. Sin Kwang floated a high cross from the right flank towards the second post. Kim Pom Hyok raced in and nodded home even before goalkeeper Yousuf could react.

The match went into the tie-breaker where both goalkeepers brought off a save each but North Korea held their nerves and emerged triumphant. Kye Tam, Kim Pom, Cha Kwang and Yun Min found the net for Korea while only Yousuf Al Malki and Mohammed Obaid Al-Qaidi were on target for Oman.