Penalty Kicks pave DPR Korea road for AFC U-14 final match

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Goalkeeper Kim Kum Song saved two penalties as DPR Korea reached the final of the AFC U-14 Championship by beating traditional rivals Korea Republic 3-1 in a penalty shootout at the Hajibabaei Stadium.

With neither side able to break the deadlock, Kim’s heroic proved the difference in the Korean derby.

The DPR Korea goalkeeper dived to his left to save captain Lee Soobin’s effort, and then threw himself to the right to deny Yong Dongh-yun.

Defender Yun Min, midfielder Kwon Nam Hyok and striker Paek Chung Song converted the spot-kicks for DPR Korea.

DPR Korea were on the top from the beginning but both the sides were cautious and took the safety-first approach in the match as the chances were far and few in between for both the sides.

DPR Korea pressed hard later in the second half but they were unlucky in the 49th minute when Paek hit the inner frame of the cross bar only to see the ball bouncing back from the line.

Earlier Yun came close after he waltzed through three defenders and latched a perfect shot but Korea Republic goalkeeper Jeong Seong-won managed to block Yun’s short by his feet.

Korea Republic’s only real chance came six minutes before time but sterling goalkeeping from Kim who saved a point-blank effort from Ko Jun-hee to force the match into penalty shootout.

“We were a deserved winner today and the credit goes to my boys’ never-say-die attitude and effort,” DPR Korea coach Kim Chol-jin said. “It was a good match against a good opponent but we prevailed throughout. “We don’t have any choice against whom we should be playing in the final, we just want to go there and offer our best,” he added.

Korea Republic coach Jeon Kyeong-joon admitted that his side were second best and also praised the performance of DPR Korea goalkeeper Kim Kum-song.

“Football is about running and they kept on running throughout,” Jeon told reporters.

“We knew that it was going to be a tight affair so we also had preparations for the penalty shootouts but their keeper made brilliant saves to deny us the win. “Overall, given the short period of preparation, we played well throughout and the experiences these players got from the tournament would be very useful in their future,” he added.

DPR Korea will face the winner second semi-final between Iraq and Iran in the final on Wednesday.