By now, you’ve probably all heard about the mishaps of North Korean goalkeeper Jang Paek Ho.
The back-up stopper was beaten in embarrassing fashion by Uzbekistan number one Jasurbek Umrzakov during the AFC Under-16 championships, as his country missed out on topping its group.
If that Uzbekistan game was an audition, it’s clear that Jang failed. Regular keeper Sin Tae Song returned for the quarter-final against Oman, and it’s safe to say he doesn’t look like relinquishing his spot any time soon.
With the winners guaranteeing themselves a place in next year’s Under-17 World Cup in India, tensions were high and mistakes were made.
Sin was at fault for Oman’s opener when he was beaten at his near post by Muadh Al Jahdhami, but he responded perfectly when Kim Pyom-hokh’s equaliser took the game to penalties.
The goalkeeper saved a spot-kick from Arshad Al Alawi, and when Al Jahdhami struck the woodwork the North Koreans were able to triumph and secure a semi-final meeting with Iran.
“We have qualified for the World Cup but this AFC tournament is different from the World Cup and we want to now try and win it,” coach Yun Jong-su said after the game.
“This is different from the last AFC U-16 Championship [in 2014] because the teams are much stronger. But we will now prepare to play two more games.”
