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Three goals in the final 16 minutes gave Qatar a stunning 3-1 comeback win over three-times champions DPR Korea in their AFC U-19 Championship Group D opener at Wunna Theikdi Stadium yesterday. |
DPR Korea had been leading until the 74nd minute of the game courtesy of Jo Kwang-myong’s fifth minute goal, but a penalty-kick from Almoez Ali and strike from Ahmed al-Sadi on 79 minutes flipped the tie on its head.
And with just four minutes of the game remaining DPR Korea conceded a second spot-kick which substitute Akram Afif successfully converted to ensure his side moved up alongside Iraq at the top of Group C after the 2012 runners-up defeated Oman 6-0 in the day’s earlier fixture.
Korea DPR raced into a quick lead just inside five minutes through midfielder Kwang Myong, who headed home from the game’s first corner to cut short the introductory phase of the contest.
Qatari heads did not drop after going behind, though, and they began to take control of the game as DPR Korea looked to defend and maintain their lead.
Qatar had to wait for 25 minutes before threatening their opponents, Ahmed al-Sadi could have improved his final effort which bounced off the chest of the Korean keeper before it was cleared.
In the second-half the flow of the game remained, with DPR Korea content to allow the Qataris the bulk of the possession and look to the counter-attack as an attacking outlet.
But just past the hour-mark, the Koreans were themselves almost caught on the break as substitute Afif broke through into the penalty area but after beating Cha his shot crashed off the right-hand upright and deflected to safety.
PRESSURE PAYS OFF
And with Qatar continuing to attack, the pressure finally paid off with 16 minutes remaining as al-Sadi cross was handled by Jon Kum-dong to concede a penalty, which al-Sadi himself took, coolly sending Cha the wrong way to bring the scores level.
Qatar then took the lead themselves after five more minutes had passed on the clock when al-Sadi burst into the penalty area before cutting the ball back for Ali who slotted home.
A shell-shocked DPR Korea side then conceded a third goal on 86 minutes as al-Sadi again got the better of Jon, as the defender rashly brought the Qatar forward down inside the area for another penalty which Akram Afif fired home to cement all three points for Qatar.
An equally tough test lies ahead for Felix Sanchez’s players, as they will next take on Iraq, who opened the group with an emphatic 6-0 win over Oman.
Qatar line-up: Yousif Hassan (GK), Abdullah al-Ahrak, Sergine Abdou, Abdulaziz al-Kholasi, Ahmed Moin (C), Jassim al-Jalabi, Jassim Mohammed, Ahmed al-Sadi, Assim Omer, Moiz Ali and Fahad Shanin.