Year in Review - AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024

Kuala Lumpur: DPR Korea marked their return to the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup™ in style as they clinched a well deserved title at Uzbekistan 2024.

Ri Song Ho's players were dominant from start to finish as they ended a 17-year wait to lift the title for a second time, having also finished runners-up on six occasions.

Group Stage

Australia were the dominant team in Group A, opening their campaign with a 2-1 win over Korea Republic after having gone behind to Jeon Yu-gyeong's 25th minute goal.

Strikes from Peta Trimis (73rd) and Naomi Thomas-Chinnama (90th), however, sealed the three points.

#U20WAC | Group A | Australia 2-0 Uzbekistan

Hosts Uzbekistan were up next for the Young Matildas, who collected another three points with Daniela Galic (5th) and Trimis (38th) wrapping up the victory in the first half.

The Group A top spot was sealed with a routine 3-0 victory over Chinese Taipei, with Jessika Nash (20th), Zara Kruger (40th) and Claudia Cicco (81st) finding the back of the net.

#U20WAC | Group A | Chinese Taipei 0-6 Korea Republic

Korea Republic bounced back from their opening day defeat to beat Chinese Taipei 6-0, with Jeon Yu-gyeong (28th, 36th), Won Chae-Eun (65th, 79th), Kim Shin-ji (54th) and Bae Ye-bin (64th) the scorers.

The defeat was a blow to Chinese Taipei's semi-final hopes, with the East Asian side having beaten Uzbekistan 2-0 in their opening match.

Needing a win to be absolutely sure of their semi-final spot, Korea Republic went for goals from the first blow of the referee's whistle in their final group stage tie against Uzbekistan, ultimately winning 13-0.

Japan set the early pace in Group B, with the six-time champions cruising to a 10-0 win over Vietnam.

DPR Korea, meanwhile, had to settle for a 1-1 draw with China PR after Kim Song gyong's 84th minute goal was cancelled out by Huo Yuexin four minutes later.

Japan had to work harder on Matchday Two but had enough power to see off China PR 2-0, a result which confirmed their semi-final spot with a match to spare.

DPR Korea sailed to a 6-0 win over Vietnam to set up an exciting Matchday Three showdown with Japan.

#U20WAC | Group B | China PR 6 - 1 Vietnam

Matchday Three saw China PR, needing a win to keep their semi-final hopes alive, going for goals against Vietnam with the East Asian side finally settling for a 6-1 victory.

It wasn't enough in the end as DPR Korea, thanks to Chae Un Yong's 22nd minute goal, edged Japan 1-0 to finish top of Group B.

Semi-finals

DPR Korea produced another impressive performance to see off the challenge of Korea Republic in their semi-final.

It was a masterful performance from DPR Korea, who opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time, Choe Il Son putting them ahead going into the break.

#U20WAC | SF | DPR Korea 3 - 0 Korea Republic

Jong Kum doubled the advantage in the 51st minute with Hwang Yu Yong capping a fine team performance with her strike in the 78th minute.

A second half surge saw Japan ease 5-1 past Australia in their semi-final.

Hiromi Yoneta opened the scoring as early as the third minute for Japan but Peta Trimis drew Australia level 10 minutes later.

Japan, however, turned on the power in the second half with Uno Shiragaki (63rd) restoring their lead with Maya Hijikata (83rd) and Chinari Sasai (88th) taking them further ahead.

Japan's fifth was courtesy of an own goal, Australia's Naomi Chinnama turning the ball into her own net in the 89th minute.

Third-place Playoff

Despite both teams having confirmed their tickets to the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup Colombia 2024, the bronze medal playoff was a hard fought affair with Australia edging the tie 1-0.

Having been under pressure for much of the match, Australia struck against the run of play in the 79th minute to seal the win.

#U20WAC | 3rd/4th Place | Australia 1 - 0 Korea Republic

With Korea Republic inching closer with every effort, Australia head coach Leah Blayney sent on attackers Milly Boughton and Lara Gooch midway through the second half to regain the momentum.

It was a move which paid off brilliantly as Boughton's pass found Gooch, who lifted the ball past the advancing Park Hyun-jin for the winner.

Final

Jon Ryong Jong scored twice as DPR Korea came from behind to defeat Japan 2-1 in the final.

Japan got off to a dream start as they took the lead through Ai Tsujisawa in the 20th minute.

The setback galvanised DPR Korea and their positive play was rewarded just before the break when Ryong Jong rose highest to nod home Chae Un Yong’s cross from the right flank.

Japan continued to dictate play in the second half but couldn't find the finishing touch, which ultimately proved their undoing.

Jong Kum finished a surging run down the right flank by sending a cross into the Japan penalty box, with Ryong Jong again finishing with a header to seal the win and the title for DPR Korea.

DPR Korea's Chae Un Yong was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player with team Chae Un Gyong picking up the Best Goalkeeper Award. Japan's Maya Hijikata won the Top Scorer Award.

Year in Review: AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024

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