DPR Korea head coach Kim Myong Song put together a totally new squad of younger players born after 1980 in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup(tm). From the start, the rejuvenated team aggressively carried out bold offensive attacks. In the 6th minute, Kim Myong Chol received the ball inside the penalty area and quickly passed it on to his left to Kim Chol Ho, who used his left foot to thrust a shot into the side netting.

Japan began to gain their own rhythm about 10 minutes into the match. In the 11th minute, Fukunishi aimed a crushing shot in the upper area of the goal, narrowly missing. In the 27th minute, though, a careless back pass by Ogasawara was snatched away by DPR Korea, and after a series of quick passes in the penalty area, Kim Yong Jun finalized with a superb right-foot shot, giving DPR Korea the lead.

Japan continued relentlessly in their offensive endeavor and in the 42nd minute gained a left side corner kick. The ball kicked in by Santos was headed by Makoto Tanaka, and it went past the DPR Korea goalie, only to be cleared off the goal line by a Korean defender's header. In the second half, Makoto Tanaka was replaced by Motoyama, and the formation was changed from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2.

DPR Korea fiercely defended their lead while creating opportunities from simple attacks. In the 56th minute, DPR Korea launched a counter-attack. Kim Chol Ho used the left side to bring the attack forward, and Choe Ung Chon attempted a shot, which was cleared by Japan's deepest defensive line, only to be picked up by Pak Song Gwan, who fought for the ball with Japan's Nakazawa and forced a shot which missed the goal.

While Japan had control of the ball, they failed to make use of their possession. In the second half, head coach Zico tried to change the rhythm by bringing in Tatsuya Tanaka and Maki, both making their first international A-match appearance. Both players showed no sign of nervousness and demonstrated their abilities. In the 86th minute, Tatsuya Tanaka dribbled past two DPR Korea players and drove a shot toward the goal, which was brushed away by the goalie. Oguro rushed toward the loose ball and attempted a shot while losing balance, but the DPR Korea GK made another superb save. During extra time, Motoyama kicked a cross ball from the right side to Maki, who headed the ball high in mid-air. Maki's header cruised above the goal. DPR Korea held on to their 1-0 lead, while Japan failed to find the goal.

Renewing his determination, Japan's head coach Zico commented, "We made waves of attacks, but our shots never quite found the goal. We are on the right track, though, so we will analyze this match and focus on our next two games with the determination to win this championship."