AYG Football: DPR Korea battle to 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia

Story by Julian Low/Red Sports. Pictures by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.

Jalan Besar Stadium, Sunday, June 28, 2009 - The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea shared their cross-border brethren’s good fortune when they recovered from a 0-2 deficit to force a 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia in their group B match of the AYG football final round. South Korea had beaten Laos 8-1 earlier.

The Saudi Arabians were the pre-match favourites given the reputation of their seniors in Asia, where they have entered the Asian Cup final six times and won the title thrice.

But it was a match of two halves with beautiful goals scored from each half with huge credit to North Korea's battling spirit for coming back from a two-goal deficit.

The action was intense from the first whistle, with players lunging into tackles referee Shabudin Hadimin was on hand to calm things down.

A lapse in concentration by Saudi Arabian defender Kariri Adnan gave North Korea their first sight on goal. Kariri misplaced a pass that gave Ri Jong Hyok a shot on goal. Unfortunately, the North Korean’s shot was weak and it was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Masrahi Nawaf.

A minute later, Saudi Arabia captain Alnakhil Mohammed Qasem lined up a shot outside the box but was promptly blocked by his markers, but team mate Aldini Waleed was alert to the rebound as he raced past the Korean defence and placed his shot into the right corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead.

North Korea promptly went in search of the equalizer but the disciplined Saudi Arabian midfield kept their attacks to a minimum.

The few chances that North Korea had on the counter-attack were lacking the final ball and frustration could be seen all over the players' faces as they went into the break.

As the second half commenced, North Korea’s game plan was further undone when Saudi Arabia’s Alnakil fired a scorcher from just outside the box that thundered off the crossbar and into the goal past North Korea goalkeeper Kwon Kum Choi.

With the comfortable two-goal cushion, Saudi Arabia opted to keep possession, passing the ball among themselves. This annoyed the DPR Koreans and tension built up when the Saudi Arabian players fell easily under tackles and lay injured on the field for long periods of time.

Yellow cards were flashed out, but no one could blame the Korean players, who were visibly infuriated and complained to the referee that their opponents were using delaying tactics.

The North Koreans finally got the goal they were looking for in the 67th minute.

A free kick was given to them near the edge of the box. Despite the tight angle, Ro Kwang Yong produced a superb curler to the corner of the goal.

Galvanised, the Koreans went in search of the equaliser with a greater sense of urgency in their play. For the first time in the match, the Saudi Arabians were on the back foot and they struggled to cope.

With full time approaching, another free kick was given to Korea.

Instead of firing a direct shot at goal, as everyone was expecting, the Koreans outwitted the Saudi Arabians and passed out to Ri Nam Jun on the left, who then placed it brilliantly into the bottom left hand corner of the goal.

There were cries of elation as the Korean players celebrated what had seemed a lost cause. Saudi Arabia tried their best to find the winner in the dying minutes of extra time but it was to no avail.

Saudi Arabia coach Filho Joaquim was satisfied with the score and praised the DPR Korean team.

Filho said: "The result is fine. Korea had a great second half and they deserve it. It was a good score."

DPR Korea coach Paek Kil Song, who was pleased with the draw, was also equal in his praise of the Saudi Arabian team.

He said: "I'm happy with the draw, it was a fair result. The young generation of Saudis are well prepared for the future. As you can see from this match, they showed experience to play a slow game against us."