March 14 – North Korea will face Japan in the final of the AFC Women’s U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2024 after an impressive 3-0 win over Korea Republic.
It will be second the two nations have met this tournament, with the North Koreans winning beating Japan to top their group and set up their semi-final tie against their South Korean neighbours.
In 2019 the North Koreans lost to Japan 2-1 in the final in Thailand.
The North Koreans, are making a forceful return to international women’s football after having been absent from competition since the covid pandemic saw the country cut all foreign sporting ties.
The North Koreans dominated the semi-final from start to finish at the Do’stlik Stadium.
They benefitted from the return of Han Hong ryon at centreback while South Korean coach Park Youn-jeong made seven changes to the Korea Republic side that defeated Uzbekistan 13-0 in their previous match.
North Korea took the lead right on the stroke of half-time after Choe Il son’s swerving shot from the left bounced off the turf and into the far corner.
Six minutes into the second half, DPR Korea doubled their lead through Jong Kum while later in the half Hwang Yu yong made it 3-0.
Japan find form
Japan eased past Australia 5-1 with four second half goals to secure their final place.
The six times U19 women’s Asian Cup winners took an early lead with a Hiromi Yoneta goal, before Australia levelled via Peta Trimis.
With the scores level at 1-1 at half time, the Japanese returned to turn of the style with goals from Uno Shiragaki, Maya Hijikata and Chinari Sasai before Australia’s Naomi Chinnama scored an own goal.
All four semi-finalists qualified for the U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, August 31 to September 22.
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