Japan coach Hiroshi Jofuku (L) shaking hands with his DPR Korean counterpart Kim Mun Chul in the Pre-Final press conference in Singapore on Saturday. AFC photo by Stanely Chou

By Tan Boon Piaw SINGAPORE: When Japan take on archrivals DPR Korea in the Final of the AFC U-17 Championship here at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday, much more than just the continental showpiece title will be at stake.

For instance, the small but extremely important issue of bragging rights in the East Asian teenage segment for the next two years will be decided.

And, given the intense rivalry which verges on animosity between both teams at all age group levels, the second factor alone should suffice to make the Final an encounter of the first order.

DPR Korea have built a healthy reputation for themselves as never-say-die fighters with an intense loathing for defeats to any opponent. And the last team they want to lose to is Japan.

An added incentive for the Koreans is that a win on Sunday will help them banish bitter memories of their solitary goal defeat to China in the Final of the previous instalment - and lift the title for the first time ever.

For Japan, winning in the Final will end a 12-year-long agonising wait to claim the Asian title for only the second time ever after 1994 when they defeated Qatar. Besides, after catching early flights back home in the previous two editions, it is understandable if Hiroshi Jofuku’s lads, who have managed not to lose any match so far in this competition, turn out to be a bit desperate to make amends with a title finish.

Though the senior men’s and women’s teams of DPR Korea and Japan have clashed several times, it is perhaps surprising that the teenaged exponents have never met before at the competitive level.

DPR Korea’s journey into the Final, despite a defeat in their opening group game to Saudi Arabia, was much more commanding after their 3-0 mauling of Tajikistan in the semifinals but Japan, who have proved to be sharp in attack and exhibited defensive solidity, were not far behind in stamping their class as they took apart Syria, albeit with late goals, 2-0.

Japanese tactician Jofuku has stood out in this tournament as the tinkerman in search of an ideal first eleven, though some of his tactics almost backfired spectacularly. So it is only safe to expect another surprise in the Final.

Jofuku caused a stir in the semifinals by opting to crowd his midfield with six men in a 3-6-1 formation and the bold decision saw him dumping Cerezo Osaka’s influential pin-up Yoichiro Kakitani for the second match in a row, together with other first choice players like striker Shohei Otsuka, and defenders Mizuki Hamada and Sho Yamaji.

But for all his tinkering, Jofuku has delivered so far, and with the title in his crosshairs, the coach hinted that he would parade the ‘fantastic four’ - Kakitani, Tomotaka Okamoto, Naoki Yamada and captain Kota Mizunuma - in midfield to supply the bullets for ‘double trouble’ Otsuka and Jin Hanato.

With four goals to his name, Mizunuma is currently the joint top scorer in the tournament, together with the Syrian duo of Mohamd Jaafar and attacking midfielder Mohammad Darwish Midou, and Tajikistan forward Davrondzhon Tukhtasunov. Teenage prodigy Kakitani, who is widely expected to be named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, has scored three goals so far.

FC Tokyo custodian Ryotaro Hironaga will be a reassuring presence in goal, and with his consistency and superb reflexes, there are reasons for Jofuku to feel confident as Japan have conceded only four goals so far.

“DPR Korea is a mysterious power to me but I see them as a strong and solid all-round team. They have numerous good players, work as a unit, never stop running, compact, competitive, and never say die,” said Jofuku.

“We played one match more than them and physically, they are fresher than us. And this could prove to be the difference in the Final. Anyhow, we are very determined to bring back the trophy after a lapse of 12 years.”

Jofuku declined to reveal his game plan or the start list, only stressing that he will put up his first eleven.

“I have no injury problems and all my players are of the same level. No one can consider himself as first choice. As you can see in the last few matches, I did a lot of rotations in the team, but we still kept winning. I want to keep everyone fresh and happy. Having said that, I am not a naïve or arrogant coach, with all respect to the fans and opponent, for the final, I will put up my strongest team.”

Jofuku’s counterpart Kim Mun Chol, meanwhile, fired a warning shot, saying that Japan shouldn’t take them lightly, in a clear indication of what to expect on Sunday evening.

“In my opinion, in this age group, there are no clear favourites,” said Kim.

“Young players are unpredictable and you never know how they will play every time they step onto the pitch. Japan might be stronger than us in at the senior level, but in this competition, I think both teams are equal. I will let the players do the talking on field.”

“Every single Japanese player is dangerous but my players are not weak either.”

“If my players can put into practice our tactics, I must say we have a bright chance of taking home the trophy for the very first time.” Kim will be relying mainly on the quartet of captain An Il Bom, O Jin Hyok , Ri Myong Jun and Ri Sang Chol, who have proved to be not only goal-hungry with three goals each, but also creative.

And, as opposed to Jofuku, Kim has stuck to the tried and tested, fielding a 4-4-2 formation and there is no reason to believe he will depart from the normal.

“I don’t have any specific plan to contain Japan. For me, every game is the same, no matter if it is a group match, or the Final. My starting eleven is almost the same in every match, and Japan will find it easy to analyse us,” Kim said tongue-in-cheek.

The Final kicks off at 2000 hours.