Japan's Asano Nagasato in action in the Japan-DPR Korea match.

CHONGQING: Two goals in the space of eight minutes helped world champions DPR Korea drub Japan 3-1 and claim top place in Group A of the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship at the Chongqing Olympic Sports Centre Stadium on Wednesday.

Cha Hu-nam replied on 25 minutes to Japan’s Konomi Ataeyama’s 16th minute opener and quickfire goals from Ra Un-sim and Ri Jong-sim in the 62nd and 70th minutes ensured victory for the Koreans.

DPR Korea, with the win, kept their group stage record perfect and will play hosts and defending champions China in a mouthwatering semifinal game on October 13. The Koreans had lost to China last year in the final in Malaysia but went on to beat them in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Championship final in Moscow.

Japan clash with Korea Republic in the other semifinal on the same day.

The second and third goals for DPR Korea came off free kicks from the right flank and showcased Choe Kwang-sok’s charges’ aerial superiority.

Despite both teams already booking their berths in the last four, the game was aggressively contested.

DPR Korea tested Japanese goalkeeper Misa Sugawara in the fourth minute through a Ryom Su-ok piledriver but the ball was blocked on the line. The Japanese replied in the eighth minute when Saki Kumagai tried to find the net off an Asano Nagasato corner but Korean custodian Kim Un-ju proved equal to the task.

Ataeyama chalked up the first goal with a brilliant piece of work when she forged her way past two defenders for a solid right-footed shot.

The Koreans had their goalkeeper to thank six minutes later when Rumi Utsugi’s speculative shot almost sailed into the net but was thwarted by Kim and went out after hitting the crossbar.

The equalizing goal arrived three minutes later when Korean skipper Ra Un-sim picked her way past three Japanese defenders and after collecting the ball, dribbled into the Japanese area before hitting a strong shot against the right post. Cha was at hand to do the needful with a snapshot.

Japanese substitute Hikari Nakade’s shot 11 minutes into the restart just missed the Korean goal and Norio Sasaki’s charges were to soon pay a heavy price for this.

Just after the hour mark, Skipper Ra Um-sik rose to collect a free kick from the right from Ri Kum-hui and, after controlling the ball superbly under pressure, lashed it in with her right foot. A similar free kick from the right by Hwang Song-mi saw Ri Jong-sim outjump the others and head the ball in.

DPR Korea coach Choe said: ‘’Today we learnt a lot from the strong Japanese team especially in terms of technical aspects. But we were more confident and determined and this is what helped us to win.”

Japan coach Sasaki drew the positives. “Our performance was good in this match. In the second half, we conceded two goals from set-pieces so I am not worried about it,’’ said Sasaki. ‘’We will concentrate on the next match now.’’