Korea republic drub India 3-0 in late flourish

Kolkata, Nov 2 (UNI) Defending Champions Korea Republic entered the quarter-finals of the AFC Youth Championships with an all-win record, defeating India 3-0 in the final match of the Group A here today.

The Korean Rupublic opened their account 76 minutes into the match.

Collecting a cross from Chong Yong Lee, Young Sung Shim volleyed home a first timer that gave Mandal hardly any chance to react (1-0).

Early in the second half, Joo Ho Park's direct free-kick was brilliantly saved by Souvik Mondal for a corner, which was incidentally the first corner for the defending champions.

Sixty minutes into the match Cardoso went up the right flank and set up Sushil with a fine cross. Sushil fed Lalkamal with a backpass, but the mideo made a mess of his shot.

In the 85th minute, Korea stamped their supremacy, with Young Rok Shin setting up Jin Hyung Song with a perfect cross. The latter slotted home on the run to make it 2-0.

The third came through a comedy of errors. Souvik Mandal came out of charge attempting a clearance. But his shot ballooned the ball into the sky. Young Rok, following the ball, headed it with the goalie desperately scrambling back (3-0).

Earlier, India did a commendable task by holding the rampaging Korean Republic for a better part of the match. The Koreans have not waited for more than 14 minutes to get into the scorecard in this competition and their domination have been unquestioned.

In the first match against Jordan whom they defeated 3-0, Young Sung opened the scoring 14 minutes, while against Kyrgyzstan, whom they trounced 7-0, the 'Red Devils' began scoring 300 seconds into the match.

Goalkeeper Souvik Mondal, who came in for the first time today, gave a respectable account of himself coming out in time to make a few quality saves and also looking calm in collecting ariel tussles.

While the Koreans never got a clear look at the Indian goal, Sushil Kumar Singh twice had two half chances which he failed to capitalise on. Once he hurried in taking a grounder that was way off its mark and then he failed to collect the ball properly with only one defender to beat.

India: Souvik Mondal (GK), Rakesh Masih, Raisangmi Vashum, Lalkamal Bhowmik, Thokchom Noaba Singh(Y) (Bimal Minj 89 minutes), Sushil Singh (captain), Branco Cardoso, Ong Tshering Lepcha (Y) (Zaidinmawla Hmar 73 minutes), Aiborlang Khongjee, Hirohito Elangbam(Baldeep Singh 57 minutes), Poibang Pohshna.

Korea Republic: Su Huk Jo (GK), Choi Chui Soon (Captain), Sung Yeung Ki (Jang Hae Park 19 minutes), Jong Jin Park, Dong Suk Kim (Joo Ho Park 46 mins)(Y), Sang Ho Lee, Young Sung Shim (Y), Chung Young Lee, Jin Hyung Song, Young Rok Shin(Y), Seung Jin Bae (Hyun Baem Park 62 minutes).

UNI BA SJC AY BS1724