AFC Women's Asian Cup
Ri, who guided the DPR Korea U20 side to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024 title, underlined the vastly different demands of the senior game, while expressing confidence in his side’s preparations ahead of their long-awaited return to the continental showpiece.
“Even though we have had a lot of success with the U17 and U20 teams, it doesn’t matter,” said Ri. “It definitely does not mean the success will automatically translate to the senior level because at this stage, the game is completely different.”
Three-time champions, DPR Korea last featured in the competition in 2010, when they finished runners-up, and the 2025 AFC Coach of the Year is determined to ensure their comeback counts.
Three-time champions, DPR Korea last featured in the competition in 2010, when they finished runners-up, and the 2025 AFC Coach of the Year is determined to ensure their comeback counts.
“It has been a very long time since we last participated in the Asian Cup and in order to do our best, we have prepared a lot and are very confident of our abilities,” he said.
“This is an entirely new team and we have worked very hard and for a very long time for this moment. We will treat each match as the ‘best match’ and use the next few matches to develop analysis on our opponents and gather rhythm."
While not boasting the same pedigree in the competition, Uzbekistan are also targeting a statement return after a 23-year absence.
Led by head coach Kotryna Kulbyte, the Central Asians are brimming with belief even as they prepare to face one of Asia’s traditional powerhouses.
“This is an entirely new team and we have worked very hard and for a very long time for this moment. We will treat each match as the ‘best match’ and use the next few matches to develop analysis on our opponents and gather rhythm."
While not boasting the same pedigree in the competition, Uzbekistan are also targeting a statement return after a 23-year absence.
Led by head coach Kotryna Kulbyte, the Central Asians are brimming with belief even as they prepare to face one of Asia’s traditional powerhouses.
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“We haven’t played at such an elite stage in a long time, so we are truly honoured and happy to be here, and even though we know we are facing a very strong team, we have no fear but only respect,” said Kulbyte.
“Similarly, by qualifying to this stage, it also means we have quality and are doing something right. I think we are a very organised and disciplined side as well as have some players who are very fast, all of which will be important.”
“Similarly, by qualifying to this stage, it also means we have quality and are doing something right. I think we are a very organised and disciplined side as well as have some players who are very fast, all of which will be important.”
Despite being drawn alongside DPR Korea and nine-time champions China PR, the 33-year-old appeared unfazed, instead highlighting the competition’s rapid growth.
“I think at this stage there are no easy groups and all teams are difficult. For instance, while China PR and DPR Korea are established strong teams, Bangladesh have shown tremendous improvement in recent times,” she said.
“Yesterday’s match (Australia v Philippines) already showed a great celebration of women’s football, with a great opening game which got so much attention and was attended by so many people. I think the bar has already been set quite high for women’s football in Asia, and we can see that the game is growing really fast.”
“I think at this stage there are no easy groups and all teams are difficult. For instance, while China PR and DPR Korea are established strong teams, Bangladesh have shown tremendous improvement in recent times,” she said.
“Yesterday’s match (Australia v Philippines) already showed a great celebration of women’s football, with a great opening game which got so much attention and was attended by so many people. I think the bar has already been set quite high for women’s football in Asia, and we can see that the game is growing really fast.”
Trivia
· The only previous meeting between DPR Korea and Uzbekistan at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup ended in an 8-0 victory for the former (1997), with Jin Yan scoring four goals on the day for them.
· DPR Korea will compete at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for the first time since 2010 when they lost the final to Australia in a penalty shootout (4-5, 1-1 AET); they hold the record for the biggest ever win at the tournament for their 24-0 victory against Singapore during the 2001 group stage.
· Uzbekistan have lost four of their last five matches at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup (W1) including their last three in a row, conceding a total of 32 goals across those last five matches.
· DPR Korea (26) and Uzbekistan (20) were two of the five teams to score 20+ goals in the qualifiers for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 with India (24), Thailand (23) and Nepal (20) being the other three sides to do so.
· Kim Kyong-yong (DPR Korea) was the joint-highest goalscorer in the Qualifiers, scoring nine goals in the tournament (also Nepal’s Sabitra Bhandari); this included four goals against Tajikistan, a brace against Palestine and a hat-trick against Malaysia).
DPR Korea v Uzbekistan
Venue: Western Sydney Stadium
Kickoff: Tuesday, 13:00 (UTC + 11)
Venue: Western Sydney Stadium
Kickoff: Tuesday, 13:00 (UTC + 11)
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