Japan, ranked highest of the four teams in this tournament in FIFA’s February world rankings (35th, China PR 75th, Korea Rep. 41st, DPR Korea 120th), played DPR Korea who finished top of the qualifying tournament (June 2006) with a total of 15 goals in three games, the match finishing in a 1-1 draw.

Japan started with two debutants on the field, goalkeeper KAWASHIMA Eiji and forward TASHIRO Yuzo. MVP during DPR Korea’s qualifying tournament, MUN In Guk and tournament golden boot (8 goals in 3 games) JONG Tae Se combined to give DPRK an early lead. After just 5 minutes JONG Tae Se, who plays for Kawasaki Frontale in Japan, evaded 4 defenders and unleashed a powerful left foot shot. “I thought just go for it myself” he explained and scored a striker’s goal to give DPR Korea the lead. As in 2005 when DPR Korea beat Japan 1-0, they had once again gone ahead. Against Japan the mid-field, such as AN Yong Hak, sat deep and got numbers behind the ball to make it tough for Japan to go forward. Left back UCHIDA Atsuto and right back KAJI Akira pushed forward and created pressure which led to free kicks and set plays but a goal didn’t come. Against an attacking Japanese side, DPR Korea’s JONG Tae Se and PAK Nam Chol combined on the break to create consecutive 28th and 30th minute shooting chances. In the 40th minute Japan got a corner on the right which ENDO Yasuhito crossed toward the far post and NAKAZAWA Yuji headed on goal only for it to be cleared off the line by HAN Song Chol. In the 43rd minute UCHIDA’s cross from the right was met by BANDO Ryuji who saw his first time shot rebound out of play off the post. DPR Korea kept their lead going in to the half time break.

　In the second half Japan completely controlled the ball and had the DPR Korea defense on the back foot but they had the lead and were content to crowd the box and rely on counter attacks. ENDO and SUZUKI’s tried to clinch it for Japan with middle range shots but a goal was still yet to come. On the other hand in the 61st minute JONG Tae Se broke free on the counter for DPRK and MUN In Guk’s through pass to PAK Nam Chol resulted in his shot sliding just past the righthand post. DPR Korea continued to be dangerous on fast breaks despite being pressured defensively.
A Japanese double substitution in the 63rd minute soon showed results with MAEDA Ryoichi and YASUDA Michihiro coming on to the field. In the 69th minute MAEDA dribbled into space on the left side and put in a clever cross into the box. It appeared to be the keeper’s ball but he couldn’t hold on to it and MAEDA headed the loose ball in to make it 1-1.

　Japan pushed for the win and in the 79th minute HANYU Naotake’s cross from the right was met by TASHIRO’s header. Then in the 80th minute TASHIRO picked up a pass in the penalty area and this time shot with his left foot but was again denied by DPRK goalkeeper RI Myong Guk. The DPR Korea defense and attack showed their speed once more on the break in the 84th minute with substitute KIM Kum Il on the left setting up JONG Tae Se’s powerful shot which narrowly went over the bar. They were unable to take the lead twice and the game finished 1-1.
Japanese head coach OKADA Takeshi said “We gave up the lead early in the first half when you really can’t afford to. Because of that this became a difficult game for us. However, despite this the players managed the risks well and created some good attacks. We now want to create a good attacking rhythm going into the remaining two matches. Right now we are focusing on playing well against China PR in our next match.”DPRK Korea coach KIM Jong Hun had the following to say after the match “It's a littledisappointing to draw the match after we were leading right up until the end. Japan have some very good players in their team and we aren’t too bad either”.