Jong Il-gwan scored a hat-trick as DPR Korea edged Australia 3-2 in a thrilling AFC U-19 Championship final at Zibo Sports Centre Stadium for their second title in four years.

Players of DPR Korea are celebrating the victory.

The 17-year-old, later named MVP of the tournament, grabbed his first of the night early in the first half before the balance of play swung in Australia’s favour as Kerem Bulut scored twice in four minutes.

However, the Koreans equalised just before the break through Jong and the star striker grabbed the winner shortly before full time with an instinctive strike following a mistake by Australia keeper Mark Birighitti.

DPR Korea’s impressive performance at the tournament had been built on a solid defence that had been breached just once prior to the game and they ensured Australia had their work cut out by taking the lead in the 10th minute.

Jong picked up the ball just outside the area before embarking on a mazy run through the Young Socceroos’ defence, dodging the legs of defenders before hitting a low shot beyond Birighitti.

Australia had a golden chance to level matters just eight minutes later when DPR Korea goalkeeper Om Jin-song punched a cross straight at skipper Ben Kantarovski, but his shot struck a defender.

Australia equalised in the 25th minute when a cross was whipped in from the left and the tattooed Bulut directed a powerful header beyond the reach of Om and into the bottom-right corner of the goal.

It got even better for the Australians when they took the lead just four minutes later. National team winger Tommy Oar danced his way through the DPR Korea defence and although his shot was initially denied by Om, the ball fell kindly to Bulut who sidefooted home for his seventh goal of the tournament.

The twists and turns of the first half continued as DPR Korea equalised two minutes before the break. Jong knocked the ball beyond Daniel Bowles to give himself a free run on goal and although his powerful low drive struck a defender, the ball ballooned over a hapless Birighitti and into the back of the net.

For the first 15 minutes of the second half, play was largely contested in midfield. DPR Korea forward Pak Song-chol, back after being suspended for the semi-final against Korea Republic, then dragged a shot wide after 62 minutes.

Soon after, Australia’s Mustafa Amini rifled a shot the wrong side of the left post, but they were two of very few chances as the game seemed destined for extra-time.

However, a howler from Birighitti gifted DPR Korea the winner two minutes from time when he fumbled a harmless-looking cross and the ball fell at the feet of Jong, who superbly lifted a shot over retreating defenders and into the net.

DPR Korea faced a tough route to this year’s final, beating hosts China 2-0 in the quarter-finals and 11-time champions Korea Republic 2-0 in the semis. It was DPR Korea’s second title in three editions after they won in India in 2006 by beating Japan on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the final.

Australia are still seeking their first title after reaching the quarter-finals on their 2006 debut and the semis two years ago. This year’s squad featured five overseas-based players, including Bulut and Oar, and five who competed in last year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup.

DPR Korea, Australia and beaten semi-finalists Saudi Arabia and Korea Republic will all represent AFC at next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia.

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