Pyongyang, August 28 (KCNA) — There was finals for Torch Cup between the April 25 Team of the Korean People’s Army and Sonbong Team of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards, both men’s premier soccer teams, at Kim Il Sung Stadium on Wednesday.
Supreme leader Kim Jong Un appeared in the tribune of honor.
Among the spectators were Pak Pong Ju, Choe Ryong Hae, Jang Song Thaek, Ri Yong Gil, Jang Jong Nam, Kim Kyong Hui, Kim Ki Nam, Choe Thae Bok, Kang Sok Ju, Kim Yang Gon, Kim Phyong Hae, Mun Kyong Dok, Ro Tu Chol, Jo Yon Jun, members of the State Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission, leading officials of the support organizations for various sports events, officials of the party, armed forces and power organs, working people’s organizations, the Cabinet, ministries and national institutions, those in the sports field, sportspersons, service personnel of the People’s Army and youth and students in the city.
The match started with the kick-off of the Sonbong Team.
The first half ended scoreless even though both teams traded attacks and counterattacks from the outset.
At the second half they changed their attack tactics and formation of defense.
The goalkeeper of the April 25 Team narrowly punched away the ball strongly kicked by player No. 28 of the Sonbong Team in the first minute of the second half, but its player No. 7 lost no time to kick it, scoring the first goal.
The April 25 Team came out in all-out attack, making a good use of its tactical and physical features, to counter its rival’s tactics of persistent attack with nimble and quick passes.
Player No. 11 of the April 25 Team scored the equalizer with heading at around 20th minute of the second half.
The Sonbong Team had an upperhand in ball control in the mid field and sought chances of scoring a goal by flank attacks. Its player No. 15 made a smart kick from the area 17 meters from the goalposts at around the 30th minute of the second half, scoring another goal.
The April 25 Team, however, was not disappointed but countered its rival’s attacks through nimble and fast passes and two and three men combination, equalizing the score in the referee’s time.
The two teams played an extra time game as they drew 2:2.
There were many chances of scoring goals but no team succeeded in doing so. So there were eleven meter penalty kicks. Five players from each team participated in the penalty kick but none of them proved to be winner. The continued penalty kick ended in 8:7 in favor of the Sonbong Team.
The spectators sent warm applause to the players who fully showcased high technique, mental power and staunch will.
As the match was over, Kim Jong Un acknowledged the enthusiastic cheers of the players and spectators.
He invited the players and coaches of the Sonbong Team to come up to the tribune, congratulated them on their success and had a photo taken with them.