Japan enters Quarterfinals, DPR Korea thrashes Iran 5-0

Bangalore, Oct 31 (UNI) Japan registered its berth in the Quarterfinals even as North Korea thrashed Iran 5-0 to taste first win at the Bangalore leg of the AFC Asian Youth Championship, being played at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here today.

In the match played under flood light, Japan defeated Tajkistan 4-0 after leading 2-0 at half time with forward Yasuhito Umesaki scoring a brace in Eighth and 36th Minutes.

The lead was increased in the second half when mid fielder Yosuke Kashiwagi netted a pass by Sho Ito in the 57th minute. Fourth goal came through a solo attempt by Masato Morishige in the 68th minute.

Thus Japan having won both the matches in Group 'C' entered last eight stage.

Earlier in the day match, North Korea crushed four time champions Iran with Captain K Kum IL and Jong Kwang Min scoring a brace each.

They were well aided by J Chol Min, substitute R Hung Ryong. In the inaugural match, they had lost to Japan 2-0.

North Korea, which had qualified after a gap of eight years, opened their account in the very third minute when Min netted the ball by heading a pass from R Chol Myong. He again scored in the 11th minute encashing on a pass by P Chol Min.

Midfielder K Kum IL also scored a brace, once in each half.

First, he outsmarted two defenders to score a solo goal in the 25th minute. He struck again in the 48th minute encashing on a pass by Chol Min.

Forward Hung Ryong rounded off the tally by scoring the fifth goal in the 77th minute, overcoming substitute defender H Yoousefi.

(Eds: pick up from earlier series).

UNI MSP GM2144