The 17-year-old, later named MVP of the tournament,
grabbed his first of the night early in the first half before the balance of
play swung in Australia's favor as Kerem Bulut scored twice in four minutes.
However, the Koreans equalized just before the break
through Jong and the star striker grabbed the winner shortly before full time
with an instinctive strike following a mistake by Australia keeper Mark
Birighitti. DPR Korea's impressive performance at the tournament had been built
on a solid defense that had been breached just once prior to the game and they
ensured Australia had their work cut out by taking the lead in the 10th minute.
Jong picked up the ball just outside the area before
embarking on a mazy run through the Young Socceroos' defense, dodging the legs
of defenders before hitting a low shot beyond Birighitti.
Australia had a golden chance to level matters just eight
minutes later when DPR Korea goalkeeper Om Jin-song punched a cross straight at
skipper Ben Kantarovski, but his shot struck a defender.
Australia equalized in the 25th minute when a cross was
whipped in from the left and the tattooed Bulut directed a powerful header
beyond the reach of Om and into the bottom right corner of the goal.
It got even better for the Australians when they took the
lead just four minutes later. National team winger Tommy Oar danced his way
through the DPR Korea defense and although his shot was initially denied by Om,
the ball fell kindly to Bulut who side-footed home for his seventh goal of the
tournament.
The twists and turns of the first half continued as DPR
Korea equalized two minutes before the break. Jong knocked the ball beyond
Daniel Bowles to give himself a free run on goal and although his powerful low
drive struck a defender, the ball ballooned over a hapless Birighitti and into
the back of the net.
For the first 15 minutes of the second half, play was
largely contested in midfield. DPR Korea forward Pak Song-chol, back after
being suspended for the semifinal against Korea Republic, then dragged a shot
wide after 62 minutes.
Soon after, Australia's Mustafa Amini rifled a shot the
wrong side of the left post, but they were two of very few chances as the game
seemed destined for extra time.
However, a howler from Birighitti gifted DPR Korea the
winner two minutes from time when he fumbled a harmless-looking cross and the
ball fell at the feet of Jong, who superbly lifted a shot over retreating
defenders and into the net.
DPR Korea faced a tough route to this year's final,
beating hosts China 2-0 in the quarter-finals and 11-time champions Korea
Republic 2-0 in the semis. It was DPR Korea's second title in three editions
after they won in India in 2006 by beating Japan on penalties following a 1-1
draw in the final.
Australia are still seeking their first title after
reaching the quarterfinals on their 2006 debut and the semis two years ago.
This year's squad featured five overseas-based players, including Bulut and
Oar, and five who competed in last year's FIFA U-20 World Cup.
DPR Korea, Australia and beaten semifinalists Saudi
Arabia and Korea Republic will all represent AFC at next year's FIFA U-20 World
Cup in Colombia.