Korea Republic had, until then, struggled to break down the India defence but Jeong showed great instinct to slot in a loose ball at the MBPJ Stadium.

The win assures Korea Republic a berth in the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup and they can now focus on the semi-final against Tajikistan on Thursday.

Australia will play Japan, who beat Oman 2-1 in Sunday’s quarter-final, in the last four on Thursday.

The semi-final berth also means Australia have confirmed a place in the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup Peru, after having been eliminated at the group stage in the AFC U-16 Championship 2016.

A third AFC U-16 Championship title is Moriyama’s target but he also wants to blood all his players and the coach hinted there may be changes for Thursday’s semi-final against either Australia or Indonesia.

Should Moriyama do so, it won’t be the first time in the tournament as the 50-year-old coach made seven changes to Japan's starting lineup for the Group A tie against Tajikistan, which finished 0-0.

Japan will play the winners of the Australia-Indonesia quarter-final in the last four on Thursday after overcoming a spirited Oman who impressed with their fighting performance.

It was a battle of former champions at the National Stadium, with both teams having previously won two titles each but Group A winners Japan held the lion’s share of possession in the early minutes but hardly tested Omani goalkeeper Mitham Ali Al Ajmi.

Oman recovered almost immediately through Tariq Khamis Al Mashary’s header after defender Issa Khalfan Al Naabi’s own goal, but eventually fell to substitute Toyama Shoji’s 81st minute strike from close range.

The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes and Khasanov stopped the second and third DPR Korea spot-kicks as Tajikistan booked a berth in the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup Peru.

Tajikistan will play the winners of Monday's Korea Republic-India quarter-final in the last four on Thursday.