Australia, DPR Korea to clash in AFC U-19 Championship final
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Tattooed striker Kerem Bulut scored a second-half brace as Australia beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 at Linzi Stadium to reach the final of the AFC U-19 Championship in China.
DPR Korea, the 2006 champions, will stand in their way after goals by forwards Jong Il-gwan and Ri Hyok-chol secured a 2-0 win over southern neighbours Korea Republic in Thursday's second semi-final at Zibo Sports Center, which will also host Sunday's final.
Australia are gunning for their first AFC U-19 title after reaching the quarter-finals on their 2006 debut and the semis two years ago. And the tough DPR Korea defence might have to keep an eye out for the 1.86-metre Bulut, one of Australia's five overseas-based players and easy to spot with his beard and tattoos.
In the first semi-final, Bulut helped Australia put the ball in the Saudi net after only six minutes when his header was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by keeper Abdullah Al Sdairy and captain Ben Kantarovski nodded in the rebound before being ruled offside.
Saudi Arabia almost went in front after 25 minutes when striker Yahya Dagriri's shot was half-saved by Mark Birighitti before Sam Gallagher scrambled back to clear the ball off the line.
Australia made the crucial breakthrough in the 70th minute. Winger Tommy Oar was brought down on the left and a short free-kick resulted in a cross into the box that flicked off Kantarovski's head into the path of Bulut, who sidefooted home from close range.
Immediately afterwards, Birighitti had to be alert to smother the ball as Dagriri bore down on goal before Bulut doubled Australia's lead in the 75th minute. Substitute Matthew Fletcher was through on goal when brought down by defender Abdullah Al Hafith's desperate challenge from behind and Bulut calmly converted the penalty.
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