North Korea retain AFC Challenge Cup

[rabin1202006]

DPR Korea defeated Turkmenistan 2-1 Monday at Dasarath Stadium to retain the title of AFC Challenge Cup 2012 and booked their ticket for Asia Cup Football to be held in Australia
in 2015.

DPR Korea also became the first team other than hosts Australia to book their place at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. CA Chairperson Subash Nemwang handed the winners trophy to the North Koreans.

In a dramatic finale, Jong Il Gwan and substitute Jang Song Hyok netted for North Korea. Turkmenistan, looking for turnaround result of 2010 final, stunned the defending champions in the second minutes of the game from Captain Berdy Shamuradov.

Shamuradov giving the reminiscence of 2010 final in Colombo, Sri Lanka, slammed the ball he found in the box from Astanov Umidjan into the post from the point. Shamuradov also opened the score in the last edition.

Supported by thousands of Nepali football fans, Korean struggled to find the equalizer which was materialized in the 35th minutes as unmarked Jong Il Gwan headed superbly to the Pak Nam Chol cross from the right flank that bulleted past Turkmenistan custodian Alyhanov Rahmanberdi and kissed the back of the net.

Koreans dominated the match until the 83rd minute when Shamuradov had a chance to seal it for the Turkmen. But nerves got the better of him and just two minutes later Jang Song-hyok, who had given away the penalty, netted the winner for the North Koreans.

Turkmenistan were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead when the 21-year-old Amanov was tripped in the box by substitute Jang Song-Hyok but Shamuradov nervously fired the 83rd minute spot-kick high over the bar.

Unbelievably, DPR Korea were awarded a penalty of their own two minutes later as David Sakisov was adjudged to have hauled down Pak Kwang-ryong in the area.

Jang Song-hyok more than made up for his earlier transgression by keeping his nerve to score the penalty that gave DPR Korea the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup title and a place in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

Philippines Philip Younghusband became the top scorer with six goal at the tourney while the Pak Nam Chol of DPR Korea has been declared the most valuable player of the tournament. The Fair Play Award was also awarded to DPR Korea.

Philippines finish third: Philippines defeated Palestine 4-3 to clinch third position in AFC Challenge Cup Football Tournament played at Dasrath Stadium on Monday. Twin goals from Philip Younghusband and one goal each from Angel Guirado and J. Guirado helped Azkals register their major achievement in international football.

Abdulhamid Abuhabib scored twice and Fahed A F Attal scored a goal for Middle East Nation.

Azkals started the game in a brighter note as they took lead in the 4th minute through Philip, who dribbled past two defenders and dodged shot-stopper Ramzi Saleh.

Palestine, after conceding a goal, came in offense to tie the score in 21st minute through Abdulhamid.

Philip doubled the tally through spot kick when Chieffy Caligdong was brought down inside the box in 24th minute. Angel penetrated inside their adversary’s defense line and slotted the ball into the net to make the score 3-1.

After the interval, Palestine utilized the Azkal’s poor defense to cut the deficit. Unmarked Abuhabib gave a prefect finish from the 15 yard for his second goal in 67th minutes.

Two minutes later, Philippines stunned Palestine with fourth goal as J Guirado gave a clinical finish to the pass off Angel.

The Middle East Nation was not in the mood to give up easily as they found another goal in the 78th minutes. Attal, taking advantage of another defense error stunned Azkals to make the score 4-3.