AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup
Next up for DPR Korea on Sunday are Japan - who defeated Australia 4-0 in their last four tie - in a repeat of the 2024 final.
Ri Yu Song coming in for Jo Ryong Yong was the only change Ji Yun Nam made to his DPR Korea starting line-up while China PR’s Ma Xiaoxu rang in the changes with Cai Xinlin, Cheng Wandi, Hu Cuiping, Wu Yichen and Xu Yue all fielded.
The high intensity pressing Ma looked for with those changes made it a cagey start to the game but achieved its purpose with DPR Korea contained as a Yu Jong Hyang header that went wide was the only chance the defending champions had in the opening 20 minutes.
The high intensity pressing Ma looked for with those changes made it a cagey start to the game but achieved its purpose with DPR Korea contained as a Yu Jong Hyang header that went wide was the only chance the defending champions had in the opening 20 minutes.
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
The hosts’ hard work, however, was undone in the 28th minute when DPR Korea capitalised on a poor pass out from goalkeeper Niu Ziqi to Zhao Siqing, with Yu dispossessing the latter before firing past Niu, who got a hand to the ball but not enough to prevent it from going in.
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
DPR Korea doubled their advantage five minutes later when Ri Kyong Im exchanged passes with Ri Ui Gyong before blasting a rising shot into the top corner.
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
China PR pushed hard in the closing minutes of the first half as Liu Yuxi’s near-post flick went just wide before a lob - with Kim Son Gyong out of position - not finding the target.
China PR’s positive play did get its reward with Liu planting the ball in the back of the net in the 43rd minute from Wu’s cross as the DPR Korea defence was breached for the first time in the competition.
China PR’s positive play did get its reward with Liu planting the ball in the back of the net in the 43rd minute from Wu’s cross as the DPR Korea defence was breached for the first time in the competition.
S-final: China PR v DPR Korea
.jpg?q=80)
.jpg?q=80)
.jpg?q=80)
.jpg?q=80)
.jpg?q=80)
.jpg?q=80)
.jpg?q=80)
Item 1 of 8
The game opened up in the second period with early sighters for DPR Korea as Ri Ye Rim forced Niu into making a good save before the China PR custodian rushed out from her goal line to pressure Kim Won Sim into putting her effort wide.
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
China PR fought back and from a counter attack in the 50th minute, they drew level when Zhao slipped Liu into acres of space, with the latter calmly dinking the ball over the advancing Son Gyong to send the home crowd into raptures.
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
It was parity that didn’t last too long as the goal galvanised DPR Korea into action and they regained their lead in the 65th minute thanks to a surging run of Ye Rim, who bested Xu Yue before driving into the box and finding Yu for her tenth goal of the campaign.
The irrepressible Yu made sure of the win in the 75th minute, rising highest to thump Won Sol Gyong’s cross onto the underside of the bar before it landed over the goal line to send DPR Korea through to their ninth successive final.
The irrepressible Yu made sure of the win in the 75th minute, rising highest to thump Won Sol Gyong’s cross onto the underside of the bar before it landed over the goal line to send DPR Korea through to their ninth successive final.
Related News
- AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup
#U17WAC - S-final: Japan power past Australia
- AFC U17 Asian Cup
#AFCU17 - Preview: Q-finals
- AFC Champions League Two
#ACLTwo - Final: Facts & Figures
- AFC Challenge League
Kuwait SC live up to Jovovic's expectations
- AFC Challenge League
McConkey heartbroken but proud of Svay Rieng’s progress
Item 1 of 5