N. Korean goalie's ridiculous mistake turned out to be a scam

North Korea was punished by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for intentional defeat during the AFC U-16 Championship. "The North Korean Football Association will be fined with 20,000 dollars for bringing the game into disrepute by deliberately conceding a goal," AFC announced on Friday. "Team Manager Yoon Jong Su will be fined 5,000 dollars and imposed a 12-month ban, while goalkeeper Jang Paek Ho will be fined 1,000 dollars and also a year banned from games."

According to AFC, the U-16 North Korean team intentionally lost to Uzbekistan in September to ensure they meet an easier opponent - Oman - in the quarterfinals. During the 49 minute draw at 0-0, goalie Jang rushed out beyond the penalty area to grab the goal kick made by the Uzbekistan goalkeeper. However, the ball flew over Jang's head, and none of the North Korean defenders near the rolling ball tried to kick out. Eventually, the ball rolled over to the North Korean goal post, and Jang allowed the point after tripping over twice. As Jang could have obviously saved by running in full speed, the British Daily Mail pointed out the scene as "a dreadful but increasingly comical mistake."

Losing by 1-3, North Korea made it to the quarterfinals with the second highest point, and won Oman - not the eventual champion Iraq - after the penalty shoot-out. Making its way to the semifinals after the game with Oman, North Korea was entitled to participate in the U-17 World Cup in India next year. "Manager Yoon and goalkeeper Jang will be excluded from the U-17 World Cup, and North Korea will also be disqualified from participating in the 2018 AFC U-19 Championship," AFC said after the match inspector's report on an outrageous point allowed.

Yun-Cheol Jeong trigger@donga.com