North Korea are again Asian U-16 champions after defeating South Korea 2-0 in Saturday’s final, played at the Chonburi Stadium in Thailand.
Kim Yun-ok set up Ru Su-jong to hammer home the opener before the break and with 4 minutes left, tournament top scorer Kim Kyong-yong headed home her ninth goal of the competiton.
Japan edged China 1-0 in the third place match, Momo Nakao with the goal in the 54th minute, watched by a record crowd of 1,677.
The victory sees Japan qualify for the FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup along with both finalists.
In the group stage, China had pipped South Korea on goal-difference to top one table, Japan won all three games in the other, with North Korea finishing on six points and Australia eliminated with their only victory being a narrow 3-2 result over Bangladesh.
The semi-finals were very close affairs, as North Korea got the only goal against China and South Korea won on penalties over Japan following a 1-1 tie.
Pictured – North Korea celebrate (The AFC)
