North Korea advance to the semi-finals of the Asian Football Confederation Under-19 Championship
North Korea advance to the semi-finals of the Asian Football
Confederation Under-19 Championship on Friday (17th October), after
edging out Japan 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Japan faced North Korea in the quarter-finals of the AFC Under-19 Championship at Wunna Theik Stadium in Nay Pyi Taw.
With Japan captain Takumi Minamino expected to shine once again, goalkeeper Kosuke Nakamura was on also under the spotlight.
He then made two stops to deny Kim Yu-song and Jin Il-sok in the first two minutes of play.
Japan midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi responded as he almost scored with the free-kick in ninth minute - Cha Jong-hun was beaten, but the upright saved the Korean.
With 10 minutes remaining of the first half, North Korea took the lead after Yuki Uchiyama made a costly mistake when he tried to clear the ball.
Although Nakamura made another fine save to deny Kim Yu-song, he could do nothing about the powerful header from the defender Kim Kuk-chol.
North Korea leading 1-0 at the break.
The 'Samurai Blue' couldn't find an equaliser until the 82nd minute when Kim Kuk-chol went from hero to zero as he gifted the opponent a penalty.
Takumi Minamino coolly netting his fourth goal of the campaign from the spot.
With both sides were unable to score again neither in the remaining minutes nor the half-hour of extra-time, so the match went to penalties.
The first eight spot-kicks were well-struck and placed - as both nations were level at 4-4 going into the potentially decisive fifth round of penalties.
But after Jo Sol-song blasted home their fifth kick to extend their perfect record, Japanese captain Minamino's effort was saved by a flying save from Cha Jong-hun.
An Ye-gun's side had secured a famous semi-final spot, as well as a return to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup next year after the 5-4 win on penalties.
In contrast, Japan had suffered a fourth consecutive quarter-final elimination in this tournament.
Japan faced North Korea in the quarter-finals of the AFC Under-19 Championship at Wunna Theik Stadium in Nay Pyi Taw.
With Japan captain Takumi Minamino expected to shine once again, goalkeeper Kosuke Nakamura was on also under the spotlight.
He then made two stops to deny Kim Yu-song and Jin Il-sok in the first two minutes of play.
Japan midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi responded as he almost scored with the free-kick in ninth minute - Cha Jong-hun was beaten, but the upright saved the Korean.
With 10 minutes remaining of the first half, North Korea took the lead after Yuki Uchiyama made a costly mistake when he tried to clear the ball.
Although Nakamura made another fine save to deny Kim Yu-song, he could do nothing about the powerful header from the defender Kim Kuk-chol.
North Korea leading 1-0 at the break.
The 'Samurai Blue' couldn't find an equaliser until the 82nd minute when Kim Kuk-chol went from hero to zero as he gifted the opponent a penalty.
Takumi Minamino coolly netting his fourth goal of the campaign from the spot.
With both sides were unable to score again neither in the remaining minutes nor the half-hour of extra-time, so the match went to penalties.
The first eight spot-kicks were well-struck and placed - as both nations were level at 4-4 going into the potentially decisive fifth round of penalties.
But after Jo Sol-song blasted home their fifth kick to extend their perfect record, Japanese captain Minamino's effort was saved by a flying save from Cha Jong-hun.
An Ye-gun's side had secured a famous semi-final spot, as well as a return to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup next year after the 5-4 win on penalties.
In contrast, Japan had suffered a fourth consecutive quarter-final elimination in this tournament.
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