DPR Korea, the 2006 champions, will stand in their way after goals by forward Jong Il-gwan and Ri Hyok-chol secured a 2-0 win over southern neighbors Korea Republic in Thursday’s second semifinal at Zibo Sports Center, which will also host Sunday’s final.

Australia are gunning for their first AFC U-19 title after reaching the quarterfinals on their 2006 debut and the semis two years ago. And the tough DPR Korea defense might have to keep an eye out for the 1.86-meter Bulut, one of Australia’s five overseas-based players and easy to spot with his beard and tattoos.

In the first semifinal, Bulut helped Australia put the ball in the Saudi net after only six minutes when his header was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by keeper Abdullah Al Sdairy and captain Ben Kantarovski nodded in the rebound before being ruled offside.

Saudi Arabia almost went in front after 25 minutes when striker Yahya Dagriri’s shot was saved by Mark Birighitti before Sam Gallagher scrambled back to clear the ball off the line. Australia made the crucial breakthrough in the 70th minute. Winger Tommy Oar was brought down on the left and a short free kick resulted in a cross into the box that flicked off Kantarovski's head into the path of Bulut, who side-footed home from close range.

Few minutes later, Birighitti had to be alert to smother the ball as Dagriri bore down on goal before Bulut doubled Australia's lead in the 75th minute. Substitute Matthew Fletcher was through on goal when brought down by defender Abdullah Al Hafith's desperate challenge from behind and Bulut calmly converted the penalty.

“This was probably our most difficult match,” said Australia coach Jan Versleijen. “Saudi Arabia knew what to do and we didn't have any solutions in the first half. We were lucky we didn't concede a goal.

“In the second half, we pushed on one of our midfielders to stretch them a little bit and from that moment, we got a little bit more control of the game and were more dangerous in the final third.

“We also knew if we could keep the ball for longer and keep the pace of the game fast, it would stretch them even more and you get more space. The moment we scored, we knew the game was almost finished.” The Dutchman also highlighted the contribution of Bulut, who has scored five goals in Zibo and plays for Czech club Mlada Boleslav.

“He always wants to go the shortest way to the goal and he's always a threat for any defense,” he said. “He uses his physicality and his ability well and if there's something happening inside the box, Kerem is there and that's what he showed.” However, Bulut departed late on with an ankle injury, leaving Versleijen sweating on his fitness for the final.

“We'll wait for the medical report and then we'll see,” he said. “If you play five games in 10 days, the players feel any knock more, so it will also be a challenge to get a team on the field for the final to compete for 90 minutes and maybe more.”  Australia has an experienced squad. Kantarovski and Oar, who plays for the national team, competed in the 2008 AFC U-19 Championship, when the Young Socceroos beat DPR Korea 2-1 after extratime in the quarterfinals.

Kantarovski and Oar also played in last year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup with Gallagher, fellow defender Rhyan Grant and forward Kofi Danning, all key players in Zibo.

DPR Korea had already pulled off one upset by beating hosts China 2-0 in the quarterfinals and were underdogs going into a fascinating clash with Korea Republic, the tournament’s most successful side with 11 titles.

However, Jong’s header in first-half injury time and a 79th-minute goal by substitute Ri condemned Korea Republic to their third successive semifinal exit after winning the last of their titles in 2004. Yun Jong-su’s side pulled off the win without star striker Pak Song-chol, who was suspended.

Australia, DPR Korea, Saudi Arabia and Korea Republic will all compete in next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup.