Action from the Japan vs DPR Korea group match.

CHONGQING: World champions DPR Korea will play Japan in the final of the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship on Tuesday, aiming to make up for their heartbreak at the hands of China in the last edition.

The two have already qualified for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup next year in Chile.

DPR Korea lost to China by a solitary goal in the final in Malaysia last year and though they have already ousted the defending champions in the semifinals here, coach Choe Kwang-sok will consider the job unfinished if they fail to clinch the elusive title.

Facing them are 2002 champions Japan who have their goalkeeper Kobayashi Shiori to thank for her wonderful performance in the semifinals after she effected a series of saves in the spotkick decider to beat Korea Republic by a whisker.

DPR Korea coach Choe said: “There are only three players from the last edition in this team and we don’t seem to be as strong (like the previous outfit) but our physical fitness has seen us through.”

“We will try our best to win,” added Choe.

Japan coach Sasaki Norio said: “We will play our next match as we we played against Korea Republic and the focus of our preparation will be placed on coordination and strategy.”

Meanwhile, China and Korea Republic clash in the third-fourth place playoff before the final. The winners of this match earn an berth in the FIFA U-20 world showpiece next year.

China coach Gao Rongming said his players were determined to turn over a new leaf when they met Korea Republic. “Our players were nervous because they are young and inexperienced (against DPr Korea in the semifinals). Moreover, we were inferior to DPR Korea in certain aspects. We need to improve our physical fitness.”

The final kicks off at the Chongqing Olympic Sports Center Stadium at 1900 hours after the third-place play-off which starts at 1600 hours.