DPR Korea defeated tournament hosts Uzbekistan 2-0 in Sunday’s final at Pakhtakor Stadium as the North Koreans won their first ever AFC U-16 Championship title, to make it a youth double following the under 19s triumph in China last month.

“Again we have witnessed another thrilling match in the final of an AFC youth competition,” said Bin Hammam, pictured presenting the winners’ medals to the North Koreans.

“The level of performance is becoming better and better and this is a great indication for the future of Asian football.”

“I want to congratulate DPR Korea for this win and add that Uzbekistan have performed very well throughout the tournament. They were worthy of reaching the final today.

“DPR Korea has again proved that they are taking the development of youth teams very seriously, as they are becoming regular contenders for the titles of these championships.”

The AFC President also expressed his delight with at the turnout for the tournament, with the championship registering more than 200,000 spectators in 31 matches to set the highest attendance numbers in the history of the AFC U-16 Championship.

“The spectators added more excitement for the final match, as the Uzbek people showed once again their passion for football”.

“The public interest in the youth championships is growing and this is a good indication of how everyone now believes in the importance of these tournaments for the development of Asian football.”

Asia’s top four youth teams will now get the chance to measure themselves against the best under 17s from around the world at next’s years World Cup, prompting the AFC President to add:

“We wish the best of luck for Asia’s representatives when Uzbekistan, DPR Korea, Japan and Australia take part in the FIFA U-17 World Cup next year in Mexico."