DPRK teen wows 'em in Cagliari

CAGLIARI, Italy - Cagliari's new teenage signing Han Kwang-song on Sunday became the first player from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to score in Serie A.

The 18-year-old from Pyongyang, who made his debut for the Sardinian club a week ago, scored in the 95th minute in a 3-2 home defeat to Torino.

"I am very happy to score my first goal in Serie A," said Han, who said his soccer hero is Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I thank the team, the coach and teammates. I feel at home in Cagliari."

Torino looked to be heading for a comfortable win after Adem Ljajic, Andrea Belotti and Afriyie Acquah gave the visitor a 3-1 lead by the 53rd minute.

But Han had other ideas.

Having impressed in a 3-1 win at Palermo last week, he replaced Marco Sau in the 81st minute and added to Marco Borriello's 19th-minute penalty for the host when he beat England goalkeeper Joe Hart deep into stoppage time.

"I tried to follow the coach's instructions, I get on well with my teammates," said Han.

"My objectives? I have so much to learn, now I would go as far forward as possible."

The two-footed striker is the first Asian to play for Cagliari.

"His dribbling, eye for goal and vision of the game are his principal characteristics," the club said in a statement.

Winner of the Under-16 Asian Championship with DPR Korea, Han shot to international recognition after he represented his country in the Under-17 World Cup, and then impressed on trial with the Italian club.

Han is not the first player from his country to make Italian soccer history: Pak Doo-lk scored the winner for DPR Korea at the 1966 World Cup to eliminate Italy in one of its greatest humiliations.

Agence France-Presse