AFC U-16: DPR Korea beat Oman; meet Iran in semis

DPR Korea beat Oman 5-3 via penalty shootout to set up a clash with Iran in the semi-finals of the AFC U-16 Championship, in Margao, on Monday.

The two sides were locked 1-1 at the end of regulation time.

After a barren first half, Oman took the lead in the 80th minute through substitute Muadh Yahya Al Jahdhami. But the two-time champions DPR Korea fought back and restored parity four minutes later through Kim Pom Hyok to take the match to tie-breaker.

In the shootout, Kye Tam, Yun Min, Cha Kwang and Kim Pom Hyok were on target for DPR Korea while Kim Kyong Sok's shot was saved by the rival keeper.

For Oman, Mohmmed Obaid Al-Qaidi and Yousuf Al Malki found the net in the tie-breaker.

DPR Korea now meet Iran in the semi-finals to be played on September 29.

The first half of the match was fought on even terms with either team creating scoring chances but failed to break the deadlock. DPR Korea came up with dangerous counter moves and even wasted a penalty in the 23rd minute when Yun Min saw his kick hit the post midway in the first half.

DPR Korea's Sin Kwang Sok had a glorious chance at the stroke of the break to score but he headed straight into the hands of rival keeper Sheyadi off a cross from the right by Han Kyong Hun.

Oman too created a couple of chances but Arshad Said Al-Alawi and Thamir Al Zaabi's tries went straight into the hands of Korean keeper Sin Te Song.

Oman coach Yaqoub Saud Al Sbahi made a change in the second half as he brought in striker Muadh yahya Al Jahdhami in place of defender Naji Fayal Al Gheilani and the move paid off as he scored in the 80th minute Mohammed Al-Alawi laid a pass to substitute Muadh Yahya Al Jahdhami who beat the rival keeper with a low shot to the far post.

But the Oman joy was short lived as DPR Korea equalised four minutes later from a counter move when Kim Po Hyok shot home off a Sin Kwang Sok pass to take the match to penalty shootout.

In another quarter-final match, Mohammed Dawood scored twice as Iraq blanked Uzbekistan 2-0 at GMC Stadium in Bambolim to set up a semifinal date with Japan.

Iraq started positively and went ahead just six minutes into the game as Dawood put Qahtan Chitheer's side in front. The West Asians hit the woodwork three times in quick succession early in the second half.

Dawood consolidated his team's position when he netted his second goal on the 78th minute, shortly before Shukhrat Nematov was dismissed, as Iraq secured qualification for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

They now meet Japan in the second semi-final on Thursday, while Iran clash against DPR Korea.

A proud Qahtan Chitheer lauded his Iraq side after they reached the semi-finals for just the fourth time after they defeated 2012 winners Uzbekistan 2-0.