The 10-man North Korea fought hard to defeat defending champions China 2-1 in extra-time to enter the semifinals of the AFC U-17 Championship in Singapore Monday evening.

Playmaker O Jin Hyok was his nation's savior, scoring the winner in the 110th minute after Gao Di's early 16th minute opener for China had been neutralized by Ri Myong Jun in the 20th minute. This revival came only four minutes after North Korea were reduced to 10 men following defender Kang Hyon Su's sending off for a rash challenge.

The win helped North Korea avenge their defeat to China in the final of the same tournament two years ago in Japan, and ensured their spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup next year in South Korea along with Tajikistan, their rivals in the semifinals of the championship on September 14.

The other semifinal will see Japan against Syria.

In 2005, the Chinese U-17 team reached its zenith, ranking 7th at the FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Peru.

This is the second soccer defeat for China at the hands of North Korea in as many weeks since China received a 5-0 drubbing by their neighbors in the final of the Women's U20 World Championship.

(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2006)