GOA: Korea Republic have been eliminated from the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 after a 3-0 victory over Malaysia on Thursday proved too little too late to secure a top-two finish in Group C.

Needing a high-scoring win to have any realistic hope of quarter-final qualification, the 2014 runners-up stormed into a two-goal lead inside 15 minutes at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as Park Jeong-in and a penalty from Cheon Seong-hoon put them in a commanding half-time position.

The East Asians then struggled to create goal-scoring chances after the interval before captain Ko Jun-hee nodded home with six minutes remaining as Korea Republic looked set to clinch the runner-up spot.

But Oman netted a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Iraq in Thursday’s other Group C clash to top the standings and ensure it was the West Asian sides who progressed to the quarter-finals after finishing a point ahead of the Koreans.

Seo Hyo-won made four changes to the starting line-up that played out a disappointing scoreless draw with Oman and left the Koreans’ fate dependent on the Iraq and Oman result, both of whom started the evening three points ahead of the East Asians.

The Taeguk Warriors came out with a point to prove and Park Jeong-in put them in front within five minutes after racing on to a long ball over the top from Son Jae-hyeok, heading into his path and coolly slotting under goalkeeper Firdaus Imran.

And that lead was doubled from the penalty spot on 13 minutes after captain Muhamad Feroz brought down Cheon in the box and the midfielder dusted himself down to nonchalantly chip down the middle with Imran having already dived to his right.

Jeon Seung-min’s delightful curling free-kick from 30 yards was then tipped round the post by a fully extended Imran midway through the half as Korea Republic threatened to run riot.

Malaysia had their best chance of the tie five minutes after the restart when Alif Safwan flicked on for Aliff Haiqal but the forward’s shot from inside the area was comfortably gathered by ‘keeper Park Ji-min.

With Oman trailing Iraq 1-0 after an hour at GMC Stadium, another goal for the Koreans would have edged them above the Omanis but they looked less potent going forward as the game wore on.

Indeed it was Malaysia who looked the more likely as substitute Arif Shaqirin poked through to Haiqal, who this time was off target with his effort from just inside the area.

As the tie moved into the final 10 minutes Seo's side finally started to exert pressure on the Malaysia goal and they were rewarded on 84 minutes as Ko put them three goals to the good.

Substitute Shin Sang-whi whipped in an inviting free-kick from the left that a diving Imran was only able to palm into the air and Ko was on hand to head into an empty net but Oman’s late strike at GMC Stadium confirmed the Taeguk Warriors' early exit.

(Picture & Report Courtesy: www.the-afc.com)