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| AFC Challenge Cup |
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| Three in a ‘Ro’ for DPR Korea |
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| DPR Korea (in white) made it three out of three Group B wins with a 1-0 win over Myanmar. |
HYDERABAD – A first-half goal by Ro Hak-su proved the difference as DPR Korea downed Myanmar 1-0 in the AFC Challenge Cup on Monday to finish top of Group B with a perfect record.
Ro fired the North Koreans ahead in the 15th minute when he found the back of the net from inside the box after being set up by Yun Yong-il.
The goal left Myanmar in arrears for the first time in the tournament and they responded by turning on the heat, stringing together several chances late in the first half.
They went close to levelling the score in the 32nd minute when Myo Min Tun rifled a shot from the edge of the area that rolled out of the grasp of goalkeeper Ju Kwang-min, going just past the right post.
Two minutes later, skipper Soe Myat Min had a goal disallowed for a foul while a Tun Tun Win shot from 30 yards clipped the crossbar on its way out.
Myanmar seemed to adapt better to the soggy conditions caused by overnight rain and a steady drizzle, driving at the North Korean defence time and again.
Towards the end of the half, Win had another opportunity but his shot went straight at Ju.
DPR Korea rallied strongly early in the second half with Kim Kyong-il's attempt off a corner sailing over the crossbar, while a free-kick by Yun Yong-il from 20 yards went just wide of the right post.
So Kwang-chol's 56th minute attempt was stopped by goalkeeper Aung Aung Oo as the Koreans continued to fire blanks.
The game gradually developed into a drab midfield battle as the second half progressed, but Myanmar had the chance to salvage a point with eight minutes remaining.
Yan Paing took possession near the half-way line and dribbled goalwards before squaring to Soe Pai, whose shot was turned out for a corner Ju.
It was the first loss of the tournament for Myanmar but their earlier victories against Nepal and Sri Lanka ensured that they finished second in Group B and qualified for the semi-finals along with the North Koreans.
DPR Korea finished top of the group with nine points from three matches and will take on Tajikistan in the semi-finals while Myanmar, who have six points, face hosts India.
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