DPR Korea have emerged as the champions of the Hero Intercontinental Cup 2019 after a 1-0 win over Tajikistan in the today’s final held at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad.
Substitute Pak Hyon-il scored the only goal of the game in the 71st minute as the North Koreans recorded back-to-back 1-0 wins over the Tajiks in the second edition of the four-nation tournament hosted by India.
Both finalists were the two lowest ranked teams of the four-nation tournament, the other participants being hosts India and Syria.
Congratulations to DPR Korea ?? for winning the Hero Intercontinental Cup 2019! ??#IndianFootball #HeroIC pic.twitter.com/GEfIjQ8rFi
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 19, 2019
At half time, it was goalless with North Korea coming closest to scoring in the 20th minute through Jong Il Gwan.
Having pipped hosts India (world no. 101) and Syria (85) in the league stage to seal their places in the final, both Tajikistan (120) and North Korea (122) entered the game on a confident note.
On form, North Korea held a slight advantage as they beat Tajkistan 1-0 in the league stages. And they repeated it in final also to emerge victorious.