INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
TEHRAN - Iran and DPR Korea battled to a 1-1 stalemate in their AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025 Group D match on Saturday.The outcome
left both sides 2 points adrift of Tajikistan - who beat Oman 2-1 earlier in the day - with Iran to deal with Oman next while DPR Korea will
play Tajikistan, with both matches to take place on Tuesday.DPR Koreas early pressure was rewarded in the 8th minute when Choe Chung Hyuk
produced an imposing header to power home Pak Kwang Songs corner kick.The East Asian side, who beat Iran 4-1 in the Qualifiers, then had
chances to increase their lead but Kim Yu Jin dragged an effort wide while Ri Kang Rims effort lacked power to trouble Iran custodian
Abofazl Khalilian, the-afc
com reported.Against the run of play, Iran found the equalizer in the 24th minute when Mehdi Sahnehs shot from range took a wicked
deflection off Kim Tae Guk, which wrong-footed DPR Korea goalkeeper Jong Hyon Ju.DPR Korea were unlucky not to enter into the break with the
lead when a combination of identified protecting from Khalilian and his protectors, who put their bodies on the line to block efforts from
Tae Guk, Yu Jin and then Tae Guk once again in a mad scramble at the end of the very first half.It took a while for the 2nd half to get
going with the first shot on target signed up in the 57th minute by Kwang Song which was easily fielded by Khalilian.A long ball pumped
forward two minutes later on saw Iran going near taking the lead after Ri Kang Songs header back to his keeper was obstructed by Ehsan
Kheradpisheh however Hyon Ju managed an excellent block to reject the forward.Another fast counter in the 77th minute saw Mohammadreza
Yousefi sending an outstanding curled pass beyond the last DPR Korea defender however Kheradpisheh could not get a touch as the groups
settled for a share of the points.
