The Tajiks celebrate after qualifying for the quarterfinals.

By Tan Boon Piaw SINGAPORE: There are all signs that Tajikistan, who have been the surprise package of this competition, will continue to live a charmed life when the Central Asians take on DPR Korea in the semifinals on Thursday. After taking care of Korea Republic 1-0 in the quarterfinals, DPR Korea are the last hurdle standing between the Tajiks and a place in the Final. What is bound to make the encounter infinitely entertaining is the fact that Tajikistan and DPR Korea have never met before at this level and for the former it is uncharted waters. DPR Korea’s journey to the semifinals saw them navigating past defending champions China 2-1 in extra time, a win made all the more sweet as they had lost to the Chinese in the Final of the last edition by a whisker. Tajikistan are by far the most in-form side of the tournament, winning all the four matches they have played so far. They opened with a 1-0 win against West Asian giants Iraq in the first match in Group B, beat Iran 2-1 in the second and rounded it off with a hard-fought 4-3 win against Yemen.

Now, they are targeting another ‘Korean' scalp with their coach Pulod Qodirov hoping the fairy tale run continues unabated. “There are no weak teams in the semifinals. And I am sure all four teams?target is the same - to qualify to the final, and try to win the championship. We are not an exception. We are on the way up and we will definitely go all out (to beat DPR Korea)," said Qodirov. “We beat Korea Republic convincingly and I see no reason why we can’t beat another Korea," quipped the coach when asked about his team’s chances. Qodirov pointed out what a welcome shot in the arm, qualification in the first attempt for the FIFA U-17 World Cup next year was.

“After qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in our first try, our confidence is sky high at the moment and we fear no one. Anyhow, after achieving the target of qualifying for the world meet, anything extra will be considered a bonus for us." Qodirov has an injury-free squad to choose from and he warned DPR Korea that his players were all motivated to defy the odds again. “We plan to play a counter-attack game. DPR Korea’s style is no different from Korea Republic, with emphasis on speed, technique and fitness." The core of Tajikistan come from the national junior team - known as the Orieno - in the Tajikistan League. And Orieno is coached by Nosir Homidov, who is also Qodirov’s assistant for the AFC U-17 Championship.

“Orieno’s players are famous for being fighters - and they are all united and craving for success." Tajikistan, who plays a 4-4-2 formation, will again bank on the tournament joint top scorer Davrondzhon Tukhtasunov, who has four goals in his credit, and is one of Orieno’s many products, to open up the DPR Korea defence.

With semifinal hero, the majestic Mirali Murodov standing in goal, DPR Korea will have a hard time finding the net. After defeating China with only 10 men in the semi finals, DPR Korea are understandably brimming with confidence.

After losing to Saudi Arabia in the first game, DPR Korea, who normally play a 4-4-2 counter attack formation, stormed back with a 6-2 hammering of Myanmar to qualify for the last eight.

DPR Korea’s main strength lies in the quartet of captain An Il Bom, O Jin Hyok , Ri Myong Jun and Ri Sang Chol.

Playmaker O Jin Hyok, who scored the winner against China, and striker Ri Myong Jun have three goals each in three outings, Ri Sang Chol fired a brace against Myanmar, while An Il Bom broke the duck in the first game against Saudi Arabia. The low profile DPR Korea coach Kim Mun Chol, is quietly optimistic. He has no injury problems. “Anything can happen in this age group’s competition. After all, young players are an inconsistent lot." “The win against China gives us a world of goods, we aim to go all the way to glory." “All four teams who qualified for the semifinals have their own credentials. But we have a little bit extra - we are the most desired and hungriest among all, and we are super fit."