Head coach Jo Tong-sop is looking to build on DPR Korea's unbeaten run as the AFC Challenge Cup moves into the knockout phase.

HYDERABAD – DPR Korea coach Jo Tong-sop says his side will look to keep their winning momentum after a 1-0 victory over Myanmar maintained the East Asians’ 100% record in this year’s AFC Challenge Cup.
"We will carry on whatever experience we have gathered so far into the next matches," said Jo, after seeing Ro Hak-su’s 15th minute winner edge out the group runners-up to set up a semi-final meeting with defending champions Tajikistan.

Unbeaten Tajikistan finished second in Group A behind hosts India, who will face Myanmar in the last four, with five points from their three games.

"We have a few days before our next match and we will train keeping the next match in mind,” continued Jo.

"We will do our best in the semi-final and the final if we get there."

DPR Korea and Myanmar went into Monday’s clash secure in the knowledge that they both had secured a place in the final four but Jo was determined to finish as group winners and wasn’t afraid to make the changes during the match to achieve this.

Which he proved with the surprise decision to substitute match winner Ro ten minutes before half-time.

"We substituted him because he isn't as experienced as the rest of the team. We used him in this match to give him some experience," added Jo.

"We also wanted to change our formation from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 to contain Myanmar's forward line and Hak-su didn't fit into our scheme of things.

“We found Myanmar striker Yan Paing very dangerous so we had to re-organise our defence as little bit.”

Jo was also unconcerned by the narrow margin of victory after DPR Korea had scored four goals in their opening two matches against Sri Lanka and Nepal.

"We could not use our skills fully because of the pitch conditions and the rain,” he said.

"We had a lot more chances to score, but our aim was to win and we got what we wanted."

Despite the defeat following wins over Sri Lanka and Nepal which secured the place in the semi-finals, Myanmar's Brazilian coach Marcos Falopa was pleased with his side’s performance.

"I'm very happy with the way the team has performed. Myanmar football has many problems and these boys hardly have time or the facilities to train,” he said.

"I'm very proud of what they have achieved.

"It was a good game. We made a small mistake in defence and they scored. We had the chance to draw this game, but we were unfortunate with one shot hitting the post.

"We attacked a little more, but we just could not put the ball between the posts.

"DPR Korea prepared for this tournament and maybe we will meet them in the final.”