DPRK celebrates victory in Youth Championship

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) applauded its AFC Youth Championship 2006, saying it's a victory that the country is looking forward to, Xinhua reported. The main official media repeated the report of DPRK's 5-3 win over Japan on penalties in the final to win the AFC Youth Championship on Sunday evening.

"Outstanding courage and steel will is the main reason of DPRK team's success in the final with Japan", said the DPRK official press, adding that "such victory presents power of DPRK football to the world, and the country has been looking forward to it for a long time". According to the leading official newspaper Rodong Sinmun, a cadre of Ministry of Electricity praised the boys who have made their country proud for their spirit. "Their victory has inspired our national confidence", said the cadre.

DPRK overcame title favourites Japan 5-3 on penalties to win. DPRK shared the title with Iran in 1976 after a scoreless draw in the days when penalty kicks were yet to be introduced. In 1990, they lost in the final to South Korea 4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 deadlock in regulation time.