U17 Korea bitterly lost ticket to the final

U17 Korea - Photo 1.

U17 Korea (red shirt) collapsed in the final minutes - Photo: AFC

This is a match that is considered to be evenly matched as both teams have strong and even forces. U17 Saudi Arabia has the home field advantage so the game is slightly better for most of the match.

But U17 Korea was not at all inferior. Even in the first half, this team had more dangerous opportunities when at least 3 times the opposing goalkeeper and defenders struggled to clear the ball from the goal line.

After an exciting exchange of attacks, the goal finally came in the 45th minute. Midfielder Oh Ha Ram appeared in the penalty area, fired a shot but was blocked by goalkeeper Al Otaibi. The Korean player calmly shot the ball back and this time it went into the net.

This goal made the second half even more exciting as U17 Saudi Arabia pushed up their formation to find an equalizer. U17 Korea also had many chances from counter-attacks. But their wastefulness cost them dearly.

U17 Korea - Photo 2.

Saudi Arabia U17 players celebrate dramatic equalizer - Photo: AFC

In the 90+12 minute, U17 Saudi Arabia put all their strength into the free kick situation. They got the result when Al Fawaz was fouled by goalkeeper Park Do Hun in the penalty area and the home team was awarded a penalty. Abubaker Saeed made no mistake to bring the match back to the starting line.

Miraculously resurrected, U17 Saudi Arabia even overcame the penalty shootout with a score of 3-1 to win a ticket to the final match of this year's U17 Asia.

In the remaining semi-final, U17 Uzbekistan did not have much difficulty in defeating U17 North Korea 3-0. Thus, U17 Uzbekistan will have a rematch with the home team to compete for the championship.

When the two teams met in the group stage, Saudi Arabia U17 lost 0-3. The final match of the 2025 AFC U17 Championship will take place on April 20.