AFC U-16: S. Korea, Australia book slots in quarter-finals
PETALING JAYA: Two-time champions South Korea marched into the quarter-finals of the AFC Under-16 Championship after defeating defending champions Iraq 2-0 in their last Group D match at Stadium Arena Universiti Malaya (UM) here yesterday.
It was a clean record for the Taeguk Warriors who had beaten Australia 3-0 and Afghanistan 7-0 in their earlier matches.
In yesterday’s action, South Korea got their first goal in the 44th minute when Kim Ryun Seong outwitted three defenders before slotting a beautiful pass that was headed in by Moon Jun Ho.
Jun Ho then earned himself a brace with his second three minutes later thus sending the defending champions packing from the tournament as they ended up in third place with just three points.
South Korea will meet Group C runners up India in the quarterfinals at the Petaling Jaya City Stadium on Monday.
Joining South Korea in the last eight are Australia who emerged runners-up in Group D after thrashing Afghanistan 4-0 at the Petaling Jaya City Stadium.
Fresh from their 2-1 victory against Iraq in their second group match, the Young Socceroos opened the floodgates as early as the eighth minute when Joseph Roddy pounced after Esmatullah Kazimi made a poor clearance form the danger area.
Noah Botic and Roddy made it 3-0 for Australia before the break when they scored again in the 26th and 45th minutes.
The Aussies took it easy on resumption which the minnows took opportunity to swarm all over them but not translating into goals.
Botic sealed their misery when he found his second goal in the 61st minute.
Awaiting Australia are Group C champions Indonesia, the sole Southeast Asian country still standing. The match will be played at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil here also on Monday.