Korea rout India, sail into last eight

India suffered a 0-3 drubbing against defending champions Korea Republic in the AFC Youth Championship in Kolkata on Thursday.

Following the defeat India were eliminated from the tournament. They earned only one point from three matches, while Korea sailed into the quarter-finals with an all-win record.

Jordan was the other team from Group A to qualify for the quarter-finals. They collected four points from three matches after completing their league engagements with a goalless draw against Kyrgyzstan in another match of the day at Howrah stadium.

Jordan played better football than Kyrgyzstan but failed to score despite creating several chances.

Kyrgyzstan were eliminated from the tournament with just two points from three matches following draws with India and Jordan, and a 7-0 drubbing by Korea Republic.

The Indian boys played inspirational football in the first half, but lost their way midway through the second, with the three goals coming in the last 15 minutes.

Korea had to wait till the 75th minute to open the scoring through striker Young Sung.

The second and third goals followed soon after, in the 85th minute and second minute of added time respectively.

Korean striker Young Sung scored the first goal with an excellent on-the-run half volley after receiving a floating cross inside the box.

India got a golden chance to restore parity in the next minute, but striker Sushil Singh's feeble shot, with only the goalkeeper to beat, was way off target.

Korea consolidated their lead in the 85th minute when medio Jinh Yung placed the ball into the goal, after a center from Youngrok.

With the Indian defence in total disarray, Young Rok scored with an excellent header, as Indian defender Rakesh Masih was reduced to a virtual spectator.

India got a few good chances to score in the first half, but strikers Branco and Sushil wasted all of them.

Indian custodian Souvik Mondal kept India in the game by stopping several goal-bound shots.

Korea scored 13 goals in the three Group 'A' league matches and topped the pool with nine points.