In a nail biting football encounter that went right down to a penalty shootout, North Korea overcame a determined Turkmenistan effort to emerge victors of the 2010 Challenge Cup played yesterday at the Sugathadasa stadium.The Koreans clinched it 6-4 in a drama filled shootout that was a fitting conclusion to what was an enthralling game. After successfully completing their first penalty Turkmenistan’s first miss came from the boot of forward Mamedaly who saw his strike rattle the side bar.
North Korea’s Ri Chol Myong launches a shot at Turkmenistan’s goal keeper, Bayram. Pic Ranjith Perera) |
Several converted penalties later, Korean midfielder Ri Chol Myong wilted under the extreme pressure and missed what would have been the game clinching penalty. However he was redeemed of his embarrassment when Amanov Arslanmyrat stepped up to take his kick.
With the penalty score on 5-4 Arslanmyrat needed to score to keep Turkmenistan’s hopes alive. Instead his shot sailed hopelessly over goal keeper, Ju Kwang Min’s bar and the Koreans began celebrating on the sidelines.
The match started off with North Korea enjoying the lion’s share of possession and making frequent trips into the Turkmenistan half until defender Ryang Myong IL was sent off in the 31st minute after he earned his second yellow card.
The loss shocked North Korea in to submission and in turn launched their opponents into action. A minute after the sending off Forward Berdy Shamuradov finished off a spectacular counter attacking move to put Turkmenistan in the lead.
After the halftime break North Korea seemed to recuperate and launched a series of attacks on the Turkmenistan goal. They failed with the majority of their attempts until midfielder Ryang Yong GI headed in a well flighted cross to equalize on the 75th minute.
Referee for the match was Faghani Alireza (Iran)
In the earlier match for the third position Tajikistan benefited from a Khakimov Numondzhon goal to beat Myanmar 1-0.
The award for fair play went to North Korea, while the awards for Most Valuable Player and Top Goal Scorer both went to North Korean forward Ryang Yong Gi. North Korea now qualifies for the 2010 AFC Asia Cup held in Qatar. |
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