Goa: Defending champions DPR Korea will be looking to finish top of Group D in the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 with a win over Uzbekistan on Friday insists coach Yun Jong-su.
With both sides level on points after wins over Yemen and Thailand respectively, Yun's side currently lead the Central Asians on goal difference so a draw would be enough to go into the quarter-finals as group winners.
However, after an impressive 4-1 win over Thailand in Matchday Two, the DPR Korea coach is expecting nothing less than a win from his team.
"Although it is true that Uzbekistan is one of the strongest of all the teams in the tournament, we have been improving as this tournament progresses and we will be trying our best to win," said Yun, who will be without suspended forward Kim Hwi-hwang for the match at GMC Stadium.
"We have prepared well and are ready. Our defence was much better in our second game and our strikers linked up well up front too. So I will be looking for more of the same against Uzbekistan."
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan coach Timur Alimkhodjayev is adamant that his team will be going all out to earn the victory for themselves.
"Whenever we take the field, we only think about getting the victory," said coach Alimkhodjayev.
"In any competition we play, we always try to reach the knockout stage as group winners so that's precisely what we'll be doing against DPR Korea on Friday."
In Group D's other tie Thailand and Yemen will be playing for pride and third place at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
"We don't want to finish in fourth place in the group so we will try our best to win," said Thailand coach Chaiyong Khumpiam.
"Yemen play with good technique but they are not at the same level as DPR Korea and Uzbekistan.
"They have two or three good players but I think if we play to our potential we can beat them."
Amen Al Sunaini's Yemen side have given a good account of themselves at the AFC youth tournament with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Uzbekistan in Matchday Two coming after DPR Korea edged a 2-0 win in the Group D opener.
The coach would, however, like to see more composure in front of goal from his forward line.
"We will definitely try to improve and make some chances to score. Defensively and in midfield we are good, but we will try to improve our attack and score goals," said Al Sunaini.
"Thailand are obviously a good team as they showed when they scored three goals against Uzbekistan in their opener, but we will do our best in this match."
Photos: AFC, Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com