U-16 DPR Korea players: Photo: AFC/STANLEY CHOU

KUALA LUMPUR: The two Koreas face each other in a potentially explosive semi-final on Wednesday at Shah Alam in the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship.

DPR Korea will start off as slight favourites after they romped to first place in Group B following a 1-0 win over defending champions Japan and a 7-1 thrashing of Thailand.

Korea Republic qualified for the last four after a 3-1 victory over Australia for their only win in Group A. In their first match, Korea Republic lost 3-1 to group winners China.

DPR Korea coach Ri Ui-ham expects a tough match against their neighbours with a lot at stake. The winners not only advance to the final but qualify for this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Championship.

“Whichever team you face in a semi-final, you know you can expect a tough match,” said Ri. “The teams that are left are all have top-class players and we have to be strong if we are to go through to the semi-finals.”

“I am confident my team can win.”

Korea Republic coach Kim Yongho was relieved to see his team defeat Australia and maintain their title hopes. Korea Republic looked dazed and confused in the first half of their 3-1 loss to China but have since been playing excellent football.

“I am satisfied with the way the team has progressed so far,” said Kim. “We have to put the defeat to China behind us and we are prepared for the semi-final.”

“We played well against Australia and I’m very happy with the way we bounced back. This puts us in a good position for our semi-final with DPR Korea.”

Korea Republic are at least assured of equalling their performance of two years ago when they finished fourth.

Defeat for either team doesn’t mean the end of their FIFA U-17 World Cup hopes. Asia has three qualifiers and the losers on Wednesday will enter Saturday’s third-fourth play-off with the chance of joining the two finalists in the FIFA tournament.