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AFC Women's Asian Cup
All three goals in Tuesday’s encounter came in the first half and while there was no lack of effort to add to the scoreline after the break, the fourth remained elusive, one of the many factors now on Ri’s mind as they prepare for the upcoming tie against debutants Bangladesh.
#WAC2026 | Group B: DPR Korea 3-0 Uzbekistan
The 55-year-old, keen to allay expectations based on the East Asian nation's youth-level success, once again reiterated the challenge posed by Asia’s most elite stage.
“Like I have said before, this competition demands the highest standards of performance and our match against Uzbekistan really pointed out a lot of problems that we need to address before we face our next opponents,” said Ri.
“I think one of the biggest challenges we faced was a lack of fighting spirit as well as international experience. So it was lucky for us that we got our first goal early in the game because it seemed to have a calming effect on our players.”
“Like I have said before, this competition demands the highest standards of performance and our match against Uzbekistan really pointed out a lot of problems that we need to address before we face our next opponents,” said Ri.
“I think one of the biggest challenges we faced was a lack of fighting spirit as well as international experience. So it was lucky for us that we got our first goal early in the game because it seemed to have a calming effect on our players.”
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With hat-trick heroine Myong Yu-Jong earning a yellow card shortly before the break, Ri took no risks and substituted her, and in due course introduced several players from the bench- a move that only confirmed further concerns for him.
“I knew there was a difference in quality between the first team and the reserves, but I didn’t expect it to be this big. Towards the end of the first half, Uzbekistan changed their game plan and grew defensive, so I brought in some new players from the bench and that has shown me that there is a lot to work on,” he said.
“While our goal is obviously to play for the title, I don’t think the team is there yet. We scouted and selected the players for this competition, but I think we need to work on our tactics much more before our upcoming games, and hopefully we will do better on Friday.”
“I knew there was a difference in quality between the first team and the reserves, but I didn’t expect it to be this big. Towards the end of the first half, Uzbekistan changed their game plan and grew defensive, so I brought in some new players from the bench and that has shown me that there is a lot to work on,” he said.
“While our goal is obviously to play for the title, I don’t think the team is there yet. We scouted and selected the players for this competition, but I think we need to work on our tactics much more before our upcoming games, and hopefully we will do better on Friday.”
Nerves were also a key factor for Kotryna Kulbyte’s Uzbekistan side, who admitted that the setback of conceding early and losing goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova took a huge mental toll on the team.
For the 33-year-old, the interval offered an opportunity to shake off the nerves and restore a positive attitude, which was evident in the second half.
“While all three of our goalkeepers are ready to show up for the team, the events from the first 10 minutes really shook the players. But at this kind of elite stage, we cannot complain. We know that the smallest changes can have huge impacts, and I would still like to applaud Zarina (Saidova) for displaying a very brave performance,” said Kulbyte.
“But we are not a team who play to avoid losing — we play to win, and that was not being reflected. So when the break came, we tried to encourage them, show them some tactical clips and restore a winning mentality.”
For the 33-year-old, the interval offered an opportunity to shake off the nerves and restore a positive attitude, which was evident in the second half.
“While all three of our goalkeepers are ready to show up for the team, the events from the first 10 minutes really shook the players. But at this kind of elite stage, we cannot complain. We know that the smallest changes can have huge impacts, and I would still like to applaud Zarina (Saidova) for displaying a very brave performance,” said Kulbyte.
“But we are not a team who play to avoid losing — we play to win, and that was not being reflected. So when the break came, we tried to encourage them, show them some tactical clips and restore a winning mentality.”
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Uzbekistan will next take on defending champions China PR, but the Lithuanian paid little heed to the challenge and instead focused on the positives.
“I have never cared for rankings because at the end of the day, numbers don’t go on the pitch, it is the players. Even today, while DPR Korea are known to be a stronger side compared to us, only one of the goals we conceded was from open play,” she reflected.
“I have always believed that if you are not playing to win and not daring to dream, then there is no point in getting on the pitch at all. So we will not turn our focus to our next game and I am confident that our team will be ready.”
“I have never cared for rankings because at the end of the day, numbers don’t go on the pitch, it is the players. Even today, while DPR Korea are known to be a stronger side compared to us, only one of the goals we conceded was from open play,” she reflected.
“I have always believed that if you are not playing to win and not daring to dream, then there is no point in getting on the pitch at all. So we will not turn our focus to our next game and I am confident that our team will be ready.”
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