AYG Football: Taeguk warriors take gold with 2-0 win over border rivals North Korea

Story by Danial Azmie/Red Sports. Photos by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.

Jalan Besar Stadium, Monday, July 6, 2009 - Favourites South Korea clinched the Asian Youth Games football gold medal with a domineering 2-0 victory over neighbouring rivals North Korea in today’s final.

The result was never in doubt, with a kimchi double-salvo by Kim Sunbin and Kim Younggyu in the 21st and 50th minutes respectively setting up a sumptuous finale to the tournament.

But South Korea, who have lit up the Games with their fiery brand of attacking football, did not have it all their way as they found a formidable wall of North Koreans content to sit back right from the start, and hence play was even in the first few minutes.

It looked as though the North Koreans had learnt well from the humbling 0-3 reversal when both sides met earlier in the group stages, and they were refusing to allow a repeat of that kind of performance.

In the 5th minute though, South Korea finally found something to show for their efforts when Portsmouth prodigy Suh Myeongwon found possession near the box, pulled the ball back for midfielder Choi Jaehun but his scuffed shot was blocked by defender Paek Ri Hyok at the crucial moment.

Choi returned the favour 2 minutes later when he threaded a through ball intended for Suh, but the latter just mistimed his run.

The tackles were coming thick and fast from both sides as the North Koreans tried their best to stifle the quick passing game adopted by their opponents.

The first real chance at goal came in the 11th minute. Suh lined up a free-kick just outside the penalty box and curled one in which was on its way into the net after it took a slight deflection of the wall.

Keeper Kwon Kum Chol, had other ideas though, as he pulled off a stunning save, tipping the ball onto his left post, before it was hastily cleared by his defenders.

In the 20th minute, though, South Korea’s incessant probing found its just reward. Kim Younggyu raced down the left and put in a cross intended for Suh, which wrecked havoc in the North Korean box. Both the North Korean central defenders clattered into each other when they attempted to block Suh as he pulled the trigger.

In the wake of the confusion, the loose ball fortuitously found its way to winger Kim Sunbin, who pounced on it and drilled it low to the keeper’s right.

The South Koreans had finally found their breakthrough, and the boys from the South knew that destiny was in their hands.

Despite the lead, South Korea refused to relent and sit back, and continued to look for the final nail in the coffin.

In the 26th minute, Suh showed a piece of genius which left the crowd scratching their heads in amazement.

As a ball was passed by a teammate to him lurking near the left side, he nonchalantly let it pass by him, leaving three of his markers in his wake, as the pass found his teammate.

However, the latter too was perhaps too shocked as he lost the ball immediately, probably wondering how Suh could have eyes at the back of his head!

Suh showed why he should be a strong contender for player of the tournament in the 33rd minute when he dinked a sublime backheel to Yonggyu in the middle of the park.

Yonggyu sent in a brilliantly-lofted ball which made its way through to the rampaging Sunbin, but his grounder astonishingly flashed past the left post when it looked easier to score!

The North Koreans had no answer to the movement and technical superiority of Suh and gang, as half-time beckoned.

At the start of the second half, the North imploded. Central defender Ri Nam Jun scythed Shim Je-hyeok when the latter was through on goal, and was promptly given his marching orders by referee Shabudin Hadimin.

It was a justified professional foul, and the North Koreans could not have any complaints about the decision.

The “Taeguk Warriors” knew that a second would definitely seal the game, and in the 50th minute, they found the goal which handed them the gold.

Suh sent in a tasty through ball to Lee Wooseok on the right, and he raced in with only a defender to beat. Lee opted to lay it to Yonggyu who was arriving at the top of the box.

With the keeper rushing out, Yonggyu deftly clipped the ball over the hapless custodian, to wild cheers from his teammates.

As the final whistle sounded, the joy in the South Korean players was apparent as substitute Kim Kyungtae sank to his knees and looked to the heavens, and the rest of his teammates hit the turf in relief.

In truth, the result was widely expected, as the South Korean team have played the tournament in a style befitting of champions, being eons ahead of all their opponents in tactics and skill.

And they are a gracious team to boot, as right after the final whistle, they held hands with their counterparts from the North, as both teams ran to both sides of the pitch to thank the fans, in a beaming sign of solidarity amidst the recent harsh political developments.

Kim Younggyu, who had a hand (or rather, foot) in both goals, was delighted with his performance, saying, “I’m really happy I could help my teammates to win the medal. I’m happy it happened in the final match!”

Captaining the championship-winning side was impressive central defender Lim Keunyong, who saluted the tenacity of his team: “I’m very happy that we can go home with the medal. All 18 of my teammates went through a hard tournament. We sometimes had to struggle hard, but i’m really delighted that we won.”

Beaming coach Chung Jungyong was pleased with the gold medal win, but he was already planning for bigger things: “If the situation allows it, we will come next year for the Olympics, if not then we will see. Our squad of 18 is very good but we have some players in the Real Madrid youth squad. There is more to come.”

The North Korean officials refused comment.

Indeed, there are big hopes for the South Koreans to light up next year’s tournament and fly the Asian flag, and by the looks of their performance these past weeks, a place in the knockout rounds is a real possibility.

All hail the pride of Asia, South Korea.

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