Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Nay Pyi Taw: Coach An Ye-gun insists DPR Korea are intent on going back-to-back at the AFC U-19 Championship this month, adding the trophy to their AFC U-16 Championship title claimed in September, ahead of Friday's Group D opener against Qatar at Wunna Theik Stadium.
Three-time champions DPR Korea crashed out in the group stages of the biennial tournament in 2012, failing to defend the title at the first hurdle, but this year coach An (pictured) has seen the developmental sides go from strength to strength.
Finalists at the AFC U-14 Championship in August, DPR Korea claimed a record-equaling second AFC U-16 Championship title last month after edging neighbours Korea Republic in the tournament's climax, as well as reaching the final of the football tournament at the Asian Games in Incheon.
And now with DPR Korea set to face Qatar, Oman and Iraq in the group stages of the AFC U-19 Championship in Myanmar – with the semi-finalists also earning a place at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup – An believes that his players can add to his country's successful 2014.
"The government and the people in my country are very eager to see great results here because we have seen a lot of success this year in our long-term youth development project that we are carrying out," said coach An, who will be without suspended midfielder Jin Il-sok against Qatar.
"We have a tough group as all the teams in Group D were the first-place finishers in their qualifiers. And we are at a disadvantage because they are all West Asian teams and we don't have so much experience playing against them.
"However, we have prepared for six months for this competition and there is no doubt in my mind that we are here to win this championship."
Opponents Qatar, meanwhile, are still looking to the future and their role as hosts of the 2022 FIFA World Cup with coach Felix Sanchez Bas well aware of the importance of further progress for his young side.
"For us it's very important to do the best we can and qualify for the U-20 World Cup, but, of course, there are 15 other teams with that same goal," said Sanchez Bas.
"We are here to perform well and get some good results – despite having a very tough group - and we are eagerly anticipating our first Matchday kick-off.
Also on Friday at Wunna Theik Stadium, five-time winners Iraq take on fellow Middle East side Oman with the Lions of Mesopotamia looking to improve on the runners-up finish in Uzbekistan two years ago and add to the AFC U-22 and AFC U-14 Championships Iraq has already claimed this year.
"Last time at the AFC U-19 Championship we came second and then we came fourth at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup, as well as the two youth championships we have already won this year. So I can say this is the strongest possible team we have now and we can prove that Iraqi football is good and strong," said Iraq coach Abdulraheem Hamed.
"I know the Oman team well and they are very strong within the Arab Gulf nations. Also, the Oman coach is a good friend of mine, so I'm sure it will be a good game between us."
"We have good players, though, and we have come here to win the tournament."
Oman coach Rasheed Al Yafai, who will be without forward Amjad Al Alawi due to suspension, is intent on using the tournament to give his young charges valuable experience while looking towards the future of the national team.
"We are trying to develop these players for the senior national team. This is our duty and this is our aim. Although, of course, we will try to win the games, too," said coach Al Yafai.
"We know that we are in a strong group with teams like DPR Korea and Iraq that have a lot of history and success at this tournament – but in any competition these things don't matter, it's how you play in the 90 minutes that determines the result."