SYDNEY (AP) – Myung Yoo Jong scored a first-half hat trick to put North Korea on track for a 3-0 win over Uzbekistan in Tuesday’s return match. Women’s Asian Cup First time since 2010.
Coach Ri Seong-ho has brought to the North Korean national team the players who led them to victory in the 2024 U-20 Women’s World Cup.
North Korea won the continental title in 2001, 2003 and 2008 but has not played in the Women’s Asian Cup since losing to Australia in the final 16 years ago.
North Korea missed out on the 2014 Asian Cup due to a suspension for doping violations at the 2011 Women’s World Cup. Due to travel restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he failed to qualify in 2018 and will not be able to compete in the 2022 tournament.
Recent strong performances at youth level, including back-to-back U-17 World Cup wins in 2024 and last year and the U-20 title, have boosted his confidence within North Korea’s young team.
Myung’s opening attack in the 6th minute followed a wonderful combination from the right side.
Kim Kyung-young passed wide to Choi Eun-young, changed his angle, moved back into the box and met the cross with a diving, goal-bound header, which bounced perfectly off an Uzbek defender, allowing Myung to fire a shot past the goalkeeper.
Within minutes, Uzbekistan goalkeeper Makhtuna Jonimkulova had a violent collision with a teammate and required treatment for her head and neck as she crouched on the field. She was carried off the field on a stretcher with a neck brace on.
The match resumed after a delay of about six minutes, and Myung added penalties in the 24th and 41st minutes to make it 3-0 at halftime.
After being penalized for handball in the 40th, the 22-year-old Myung fired a shot to the left from the spot, beating the diving goalie with a near-repeat of his earlier attempt.
Uzbekistan’s defense tightened even further in the second half, holding North Korea scoreless.
Defending champions China then faced Bangladesh in the Group B match.
Iran opening match
Monday night, Zahra Gambari and her girlfriend Iran national team stood during national anthem on Gold Coastfar from. war It began over the weekend with major attacks by Israel and the United States.
Before losing 3-0 to South Korea in the opening game, Iran coach Marzieh Jafari declined to comment. About military attacks and the death of your country’s top leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneisaid the team needs to focus on the tournament.
Coach Jafari said it was a tough opening game against the 2022 runner-up team. Things won’t get any easier for Iran as they have two days off before facing hosts Australia at the same venue.
“Overall, it was a good game. (Korea) Korea played very well, so I would like to congratulate them in the end,” she said. “But I hope we can make up for it in the next game.”
of Australia national team defeats Philippines 1-0 Joining local stars at the opening game of the tournament, which drew a record crowd of 44,379 in Perth, sam carr He scored the only goal.
Australian playmaker Amy Sayer said Iran’s continued participation in the tournament deserved sympathy and respect.
“Our hearts go out to them and their families. It’s a difficult situation, but it’s really brave to be able to come out here and perform,” Thayer said Tuesday. “Despite the current political climate and the difficulties they will experience, they had a really strong performance (against South Korea).
“I think we’re excited and looking forward to Thursday’s game…The best thing we can do to contribute is give them the best game of football we can and show them respect on the field.”
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