DPR Korea win tense shootout

AFC – DPR Korea became the first team to book a place in Saturday's final of the AFC Under-17 Championship with a 7-6 penalty shoot-out victory over Qatar after 120 scoreless minutes of football proved incapable of producing a winner.

Johar Abdulaziz Al Kaabi missed Qatar's third penalty after the shoot-out went in to sudden-death, hitting the post to hand victory to the Koreans, who now also qualify for next year's FIFA World Under-17 Championship in Peru as one of Asia's three representatives.

"I'm delighted with the result and I don't know how to put it into words," said DPR Korea coach Pak Hui-sam. "But there's one match to go and it will be tough. Still, I'm very proud of my players."

The North Koreans dominated the entire 120 minutes of play but were unable to find the back of the net due a combination of poor finishing, bad luck and inspired goalkeeping from Qatar's Ghaith Jumah Al Mohannadi, who threatened to derail Korea's title bid.

"I thought Qatar played well strategically," said Pak. "We thought we were well prepared to deal with the Qatar defence and we tried to find the space in behind them but they were better than we expected.

"We were not able to use the chances we had and Qatar proved they are a great team and I'm happy that we beat them."

The game was a clash between the collectivism of the Koreans and the more defensive approach of the Qataris, the East Asians' team ethic giving them the upper hand.

Choe Myong-ho headed just wide five minutes into the game after a deep cross by Kim Kuk-jin and 10 minutes later Jon Kwan-gik's effort was just off-target. Less than a minute later, Ri Chol-myong forced a sharp save out of Al Mohannadi, the Qatari keeper gathering at the second attempt.

Kim went closer still in the 20th minute when his header hit the post before being cleared by the Qatari defence. And, from the resultant corner, Jon should have opened the scoring after Choe's inswinger caused consternation at the back for Qatar, but he pulled his shot wide with Al Mohannadi out of position.

DPR Korea's dominance carried over into the second half, with substitute Myong In-ho hitting Al Mohanndi's legs after being sent clear of the Qatar defence thanks to Jon's excellent through-ball. Soon after, Choe saw his volley from the edge of the area tipped over the bar by the keeper.

Still the Koreans kept coming forward, Ri Chol-myung testing Al Mohannadi in the 62nd minute, with the Al Khor keeper proving equal again to the task.

With three minutes of normal time to go, Ri finally beat Al Mohannadi with a well-taken shot on the turn from the edge of the area. But with the custodian stranded, Ri's shot cannoned off the top of the crossbar to safety and Qatar survived once more.

And as extra-time wound down, Ri again came closest to winning it before the shoot-out for the Koreans, hitting the woodwork with a thunderous effort.