DPR Korea coach Choe Kwang-sok (L) shake hand with Back Jong-chul in post-match press conference. Photo by: AFC / Galvin Tan

KUALA LUMPUR: DPR Korea advanced to the semi-finals of the AFC Under-19 Women's Championship with a thrilling 2-1 Group A victory over arch-rivals and defending champions Korea Republic at Kuala Lumpur Cheras Stadium on Wednesday.

In a pulsating match between two of Asia's finest teams, DPR Korea made the most of their superior speed and tackling skills to

DPR Korea coach Choe Kwang-sok was delighted with the victory and especially pleased for Kil.

"She will be very pleased to have scored that goal after missing the penalty," said Choe. "We knew it would be a tough game against Korea Republic but they had a hard time against Japan the other day and maybe they were tired.

"We are happy to be in the semi-finals and will do our best."

Korea Republic coach Back Jong-chul, whose team lost 2-1 to Japan on Monday, was full of praise for DPR Korea and said he hoped they went on to win the tournament.

"We have been preparing for this tournament since the winter time but we failed to get to the semi-finals," said Back. "Noth Korea showed they are a strong team.

"It was a fascinating match and I really hope North Korea go on to the final and win the trophy."

Ra opened the scoring with a scorching shot on seven minutes to open up the game. Both teams went close in the following minutes but DPR Korea controlled the match with hard tackling and superior passing.

Korea Republic went on the attack in the second half and were rewarded after only five minutes when Park latched on to a high bounce and guided the ball past DPR Korea keeper Wi Un-ok.

In the 63rd minute, DPR Korea were awarded a penalty after Kim Song-hui was felled in the box. Kil, however, saw her shot saved by goalkeeper We Sung-hee.

Kil made up for her miss in the 75th minute when she drilled the ball home from the edge of the box for the winner.

Japan finished top of the group after their 6-0 win over India at MPPJ.