YANGON: Korea Republic beat China PR 1-0 in their final Group H match to seal top spot to qualify for the AFC U-16 Championship 2018 Malaysia at the Thuwanna Stadium in Yangon on Monday.
Defeat for China PR meant missing out on a place in the Finals as they failed to finish among the best five second-placed finishers.
Korea Republic only needed a draw to qualify due to a superior goal difference while China needed victory for top spot.
Korea Republic, however, squandered two penalties as strikers Hong Yun-sang and Jeong Sang-bin missed spotkicks in the 44th and 67th minutes.
Choi Min-seo, however, didn’t miss Korea Republic’s third penalty of the match in the 60th minute to seal victory for his side.
Kim Jung Soo (Korea head coach)
“We are happy to qualify for the Finals. I'm so happy with that. Our players controlled the game. Although my players showed improvement, they still need to do more for the Finals.”?
Liu Junwei (China head coach)
“Our team tried to control Korea Republic but couldn’t. Their players were better than my players. I take responsibility for not qualifying.”
Photo: AFC
Source: the-afc.com