Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Korea Republic's Hwang Hee-chan is leading the race to be the 2012 AFC U-16 Championship top scorer with four goals as the 15th edition of the continental youth competition heads into the knockout phase.
Hwang, who was rested for Korea Republic's final Group C game against Saudi Arabia, opened the scoring in his side's 3-1 win over Japan in the second game having put in an inspirational display in the opening game against DPR Korea in which the Korean number 10 netted all the goals in the 3-0 defeat of the defending champions.
Hwang's virtuoso display in the South's impressive win over their northern neighbours prompted DPR Korea coach Paek Kil-song to remark:
"He is a very good player...a skilful dribbler with a strong shot. He was their main player and I think he will develop into a very good in the future."
Hwang's four-goal haul puts the Pohang Youth striker two clear of a quintet of players who have all hit the target on two occasions.
They are Hiroki Ogawa, who scored Japan's consolation strike in their loss to Korea; the Kuwait duo of Bader Thekr Allah and Nawaf Marzouq; Australia's Joshua MacDonald and Amirmohammad Mazloum of Iran.
The 2012 AFC U-16 Championship resumes on Sunday with the quarter-finals.