Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Bangkok: Late goals from substitutes Yu Seung-min and You Juan handed two-time champions Korea Republic a 3-1 victory over Oman in the opening game of the AFC U-16 Championship at Muangthong Stadium on Saturday.
Korea, who won the title in 1986 and 2002, opened the scoring in the first half of the Group A opener through Kim Jung-min's long range effort only for their lead to be cancelled out shortly after through a deflected strike from Dakhil Al Yahmadi.
But after Yu headed home with four minutes remaining, fellow substitute You sealed the win for Korea in the last minute.
"It was a tough match and we're happy to win," said Korea coach Choi Jin-cheul.
"In training we focus on control and passing, and that started to show in the final 10 minutes.
"Oman are a good team with no weak points, so we are happy with the win."
Korea kept hold of the ball well in the opening stages, but had little to show for their efforts as Park Sang-hyeok's goalbound effort was deflected out for a corner in the ninth minute before Jang Gyeol-hee fired wide three minutes later.
But the game sprung into life in the 21st minute when midfielder Kim hit an unstoppable 25-yard strike that gave Oman goalkeeper Ammar Al Rusheidi no chance.
However Oman, who played largely on the break, hit back strongly and levelled the score in the 30th minute when Al Yahmadi's speculative effort deflected off Jang Jae-won and looped over goalkeeper Ahn Joon-soo and into the back of the net.
Korea quickly went back on the attack in search of a response with Yun Seo-ho crossing from the right to an unmarked Park Sang-hyeok at the back post in the 37th minute, but his header was superbly cleared off the line by Salim Al Harthy.
Another powerfully hit shot from Kim had Al Rusheidi beaten in the 40th minute, but the ball flew just wide and the sides went in level at half-time.
Oman, though, started the second half positively and the lively Yazod Al Siyabi shot just wide when one-on-one with Korea goalkeeper Ahn in the 48th minute before the striker fired into the side netting just after the hour mark.
But with the game appearing to be fizzling out, a cross from Park Myeong-su found Yu and his header crept over the line despite Al Rusheidi's best efforts with four minutes remaining.
The goal was a bitter blow to Oman, who had played well in the second half, and You compounded their misery when his left-footed shot wrapped the game up in the last minute.
"We did very well tactically, but ran out of energy in the last minutes as we have not played for two weeks," said Oman coach Ya'qoub Al Sabahi.
"We deserved more, but if you don't take your chances, you don't win. Korea's experience showed in the end."