Japan, North Korea to clash in final

North Korea and Japan will clash in the final of the Asian Football Confederation Youth Championship. Both scored narrow semi-final victories in Kolkata on Thursday.

Goalkeeper Akihiro Hayashi emerged the hero by saving two spot-kicks as Japan upset defending champions South Korea 3-2 in a sudden death tie-break in the day's first semi-final.

Later, North Korea rode on a first half goal by Kum Il Kim to get the better of Jordan and move into the title round.

The spectacular winner came in the 38th minute whne Kim capped a fine solo with a lethal finish.

Receiving a long clearance from his own defence, the unmarked Kim dodged past a Jordan defender and launched on a long run, making full use of the large vacant space before him.

As the Jordan goalkeeper came out of his charge, Kim outwitted him with a deft footwork, and kept his cool to place the ball home even as a defender was breathing down his neck.

The North Koreans were deserving winners, as they dominated the match with their quick bursts of speed and superior ball control.

DPR Korea made it to the final after 16 years. They last won the championship  in 1976 and lost to their Korean counterparts in 1990.

The Japan-South Korea contest was set for an exciting tie-break finish after the two sides finished regulation time in a 1-1 deadlock, and remained 2-2 at the end of half an hour of extra-time, at the floodlit Salt Lake stadium.

Tsukasa Umesaki, Yasuhito Morishima and Kota Aoki converted for the winners in the tie-break, while Yosuke Kashiwagi hit the bar and Masato Morishige's effort was thwarted by Korean custodian Jo Su Huk.

For 11-time winners South Korea, Park Hyun Bem and Seung Bin Bae converted from the 'spot', but Young Sung-Shim and Sang Ho Lee found their shots hit the woodwork.

Hayashi saved spot-kicks from Dong Suk Kim and Chul-soon.

Earlier, the game had an electrifying start with Young putting the Koreans ahead in the first minute, before Kashiwagi drew parity for Japan two minutes into the second session.

Japan were reduced to 10 men in the 83rd minute when defender Tomoaki Makino was red carded for bringing down an onrushing Young Sung-shim, as the Koreans raided relentlessly to regain the lead.