By Shahin Rahmani

SINGAPORE: 10-man DPR Korea fought hard to defeat defending champions China 2-1 in extra-time to enter the semifinals of the AFC U-17 Championship here at the Bishan Stadium on Monday.

Playmaker O Jin Hyok scored the match-winner on 110 minutes after Gao Di’s early 16th minute opener for China was neutralised by Ri Myong Jun in the 20th minute, just four minutes after DPR Korea were reduced to 10 men following defender Kang Hyon Su’s sending off for a rash foul.

The win helped DPR Korea avenge their solitary goal defeat to China in the Final of the same tournament two years back in Japan, and ensured their spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup next year in Korea Republic alongside their rivals in the semifinals here on September 14, Tajikistan.

Japan and Syria are the other Asian teams assured of their place in the world meet.

China’s fears of playing on Bishan Stadium’s natural grass pitch, after playing their final group game on the artificial turf at the nearby Jalan Besar Stadium, came true as coach Xiong Zheng’s charges struggled on the much quicker surface.

DPR Korea, who saw group action at Jalan Besar, however adapted better and applied themselves to the task at hand more purposefully.

Coach Kim Mun Chol had declared his lads’ readiness, both physically and tactically, a day earlier and the Koreans were off the blocks early today, making the initial moves with fluency.

However, China snapped the lead through Gao Di after the rival defence switched off. Gao was left with posting the easiest of goals and he was not one to let it pass after going goalless in the group campaign.

The very same minute saw DPR Korea suffering a big blow as Kang was given his marching orders by Saudi referee Ali Al Mutlaq.

But Mun’s goal four minutes later gave the Koreans hope that all was not lost and put the pressure on China instead who were hard-pressed to find the winner.

The effect of Mun’s equaliser was such that DPR Korea called the shots comprehensively in the second period too after first half ended 1-1. Zheng made a couple of substitutions to turn the tide but this did nothing to loosen DPR Korea’s iron grip on the game. China’s Wu Hongyang, who came in for Li Jinglin in the 58th minute, should have got the winner in the 90th minute but was denied by the woodwork.

DPR Korea coach Kim, normally a man of few words, found it difficult to hide his joy. “I feel very strange…I have never experienced such happiness in my life. I just asked them to fight as much as they can. I was only wishing to control the game and take it to penalty kicks.”

“We were one player less and my team was completely tired but they did something that I never expected. They scored the goal in the 110th minute! It was unbelievable!”