Action from DPR Korea v Korea Republic : AFC/SIMON YAP

KUALA LUMPUR: DPR Korea fought back from a goal down to defeat rivals Korea Republic 4-1 on Wednesday in the semi-finals of the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship at Shah Alam Stadium.

After a close first half, DPR Korea ran away with the match and will now meet defending champions Japan in the final in a repeat of their Group B match last week, which the Koreans won 1-0.

Both finalists qualified for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals in New Zealand. Korea Republic and China play in the third-fourth place play-off on Saturday to decide the last Asian qualifier for the New Zealand event.

A wet field made it difficult for the players to perform to their best and may have been the cause of errors that led to at least one DPR goal.

However, DPR showed great character to come back from a one-goal deficit to outplay their opponents and deservedly take their place in the final.

DPR Korea coach Ri Ui-ham, whose team have won all three matches so far, was pleased with his side’s performance.

“We didn’t play well in the first half but after the break we played much better and our fitness helped us win.”

Korea Republic coach Kim Yong-ho said: “We tried our best but couldn’t win. I’m proud of the way my players performed and would like to thank them.”

“Now we must prepare for the next match and try to qualify for the FIFA finals.”

Korea Republic dominated the early exchanges with Kim Dason heading over after six minutes and the enterprising Lee Hyunyoung had two good chances 10 minutes later.

DPR Korea’s first real effort came in the 20th minute when a header from a corner had to be cleared off the line by Republic defender Kwon Yee-un.

Korea Republic took a deserved lead after 29 minutes but it came as a result of a defensive error. After confusion in the DPR box, the ball was behind goalkeeper Kim Su-jong. Defender Kim Sol-hui tried to clear two feet from her line but hit a prone Kim and the ball bounced back into the net for an own goal.

Captain Ji So-yun almost doubled Korea Republic’s lead 11 minutes later but her neat side-foot was just inches wide. However, DPR came back strongly in the closing minutes of the half and made it 1-1 seven minutes before the interval through Yun Hyon-hi, who beat goalkeeper Jung Bo-ram from seven yards with a narrow shot from the right.

DPR, whose confidence soared after their equaliser, finished the first half stronger of the two teams.

They continued to dominate in the second half and took the lead on 64 minutes when

Ho Un-byol shot from the edge of the area sneaking past Jung.

Three minutes later Pae Yon-hui failed to latch on to a cross from Ho Un-byol but they increased their lead eight minutes later from a Korea Republic error.

Ri Un-ae fired from the edge of the box and Jung appeared to have it covered. But the ball sliced through her wet gloves and into the net for a 3-1 DPR Korea lead.

DPR Korea made it 4-1 in the 82nd minute when Yun Hyon-hi managed to push the ball across the goalline after a corner caused confusion in the box.

Korea Republic were now playing for pride and despite some brave attempts at goal, they failed to add to their single goal.