Team Herald
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PANJIM: Coach Yun Jong-su insists holders DPR Korea are fully prepared for their AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 quarter-final clash with Oman at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Monday.
The East Asians have won two of the last three continental tournaments at U-16 level but enjoyed mixed fortunes in qualifying for the last eight as Group D runners-up after successive wins over Yemen and Thailand were followed by a 3-1 reversal to Uzbekistan.
And standing in the way of the reigning champions is an Oman team that topped Group C ahead of Iraq and 2014 runners-up Korea Republic on route to qualifying for their first quarter-final since 2004.
“Oman showed that they are a strong team because they won their group,” said Yun, who will welcome back Kim Hwi-hwang from suspension but has injury concerns over midfielder Kim Chung-jin.
“But I don’t think there will be any problems physically, tactically or mentally with our players. I don’t think there is any pressure and we are ready for this game.”
The winner of Monday’s hotly anticipated encounter will also secure their passage to the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India as one of the tournament’s top four teams.
While, Uzbekistan coach Timur Alimkhodjayev believes that whichever side has the mental edge will come out the victor in the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 quarter-final between his young White Wolves and Iraq at GMC Stadium on Monday.
Uzbekistan were the defending champions at the AFC U-16 Championship two years ago, but were dethroned at the last eight stage by Syria in Bangkok, breaking a run of three consecutive semi-final appearances.
After entering this year’s knockout phase on the back of a perfect record after wins over Thailand, Yemen and DPR Korea, Alimkhodjayev has ensured the players have put in work on their focus as well as their fitness.
“Psychology is one of the sides of the game, all of us are human, and this could be one of the decisive factors in the match,” said the Uzbekistan coach.
“However, we’ve had a long preparation for this tournament. And we hope the players will be able to play without any extra pressure.
“We came to this tournament with high goals and are ready for any team. Step-by-step our players have become more experienced and self-confident and we are making progress in all areas.”
