AFC Women's Asian Cup
Maximum points from their opening two matches earned them a place in the quarter-finals respectively but both are determined to complete a perfect group stage.
DPR Korea head coach Ri Song Ho said he has yet to see his team perform to their true abilities, promising improvement as they seek a fourth title.
“Tomorrow we’ll have the third match in the tournament and the most important because the opponents are the previous champions,” said Ri. “We need the perfect preparation to show the best results."
“Tomorrow we’ll have the third match in the tournament and the most important because the opponents are the previous champions,” said Ri. “We need the perfect preparation to show the best results."
“I would say that I’m not 100 percent satisfied with the two matches. Winning two games is great but we have more important matches to come. I’d rather be concerned than satisfied and it’s on me to keep making this team better and to cut out our deficiencies.
“Each match is very important. We’re planning to win as we want to be group winners.”
“Each match is very important. We’re planning to win as we want to be group winners.”
#WAC2026 - Preview: Group Stage Matchday Three
Ri’s counterpart Ante Milicic appeared more relaxed, having achieved his initial target of advancing to the next stage while keeping the squad happy with all 23 outfielders given minutes in the two earlier matches.
The Australia tactician believes that if his team are able to suppress DPR Korea’s pressing intensity, he has the players and tactics capable of hurting the opponents.
“We’ve made a good analysis of them,” said Milicic. “We’ve recovered well from our first two games. If our girls can remain calm and focused, with our supporters in the stands, we can give them a difficult game."
The Australia tactician believes that if his team are able to suppress DPR Korea’s pressing intensity, he has the players and tactics capable of hurting the opponents.
“We’ve made a good analysis of them,” said Milicic. “We’ve recovered well from our first two games. If our girls can remain calm and focused, with our supporters in the stands, we can give them a difficult game."
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“We expect the opponents to press us and to press with intensity. It’s up to us to get into a good starting position, to be brave to want to have the ball. We can’t have any players hiding tomorrow.
“We understand there can be mistakes but it’s the reaction that will be important. We will come up with ways how we can control the game. We’ve shown in the first couple of games that we have different ways to attack and we’ll try to use that to our advantage.”
“We understand there can be mistakes but it’s the reaction that will be important. We will come up with ways how we can control the game. We’ve shown in the first couple of games that we have different ways to attack and we’ll try to use that to our advantage.”
Trivia
● DPR Korea have won five of their last six AFC Women’s Asian Cup matches against China PR (L1), including each of their last three – their longest winning run against them in the tournament.
● DPR Korea kept a clean sheet in their most recent meeting (1-0 in 2010 semi-finals) and will be aiming for consecutive clean sheets against China PR for the first time in the tournament.
● China PR are undefeated in their last 13 matches during the group stage of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup (W11 D2); although, their most recent defeat in such fixtures came when they last met DPR Korea (1-0 in 2008).
DPR Korea v China PR
Venue: Western Sydney Stadium (Sydney)
Kick-off: Monday, 20:00 (UTC+11)
Venue: Western Sydney Stadium (Sydney)
Kick-off: Monday, 20:00 (UTC+11)
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