Japan, North Korea cruise into semifinals

Bangalore, Nov 6 (UNI) North Korea and Japan stormed into the semifinals with decisive wins over Iraq and Saudi Arabia respectively, in the AFC Asian Youth Football Championship here today.

Playing under persistent drizzle, North Korea dominated over Iraq and scored once in each half to set up a semifinal clash with Jordan in Kolkata on November nine.

Earlier, Japan advanced through the winning goal by substitute Kota Aoki in the dying minutes after Saudi Arabia equalised 1-1 in the second half. Japan would face South Korea in the other semifinal on the same day.

North Korea, who played in this championship after a long gap of 16 years, took the game in their grip soon after the start and opened their account through Kum Il Kim, who deflected home a piledriver of a free kick from just outside the Iraqi box that caught keeper Alas Jias on the wrong foot.

The winners doubled the lead through Yong Il Yun who scored off a goal mouth melee in the 67th minute. The goal came after Jias blocked Kim's kick from top of the box and again blocked a second timer from Choi Min Jong. However, Yong, who saw the free ball at the goal mouth, with keeper hopelessly out of position, easily back heeled the ball into the net.

Chances hardly came the Iraqis' way as North Korea's domination was complete. The score line should have been more, but for missed chances, for North Korea who also eased their game a bit under damp conditions. A fine chance came the ever vigilant Kim's way in the 16th minute but the striker toed the ball wide. Ten minutes into the second half, a fine header from the same striker beat Iraqi custodian, but hit the post on the right.

North Korean Coach Tong Sop Jo said the result was beyond expectations. Some of the players were from Under-17 and Under-18 teams, but they already have some experience.

Asked on a possible clash with South Korea in the final, he said ''I am happy South Korea reached the semis. It doesn't matter who we will play against, but we want to keep winning,'' he added.

Iraq coach Abd Al Kany Abod thought the Koreans could be overaged. His team management was likely to file an objection with the AFC.

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