SYDNEY (AP) – Defending champion China defeated North Korea 2-1 on Monday in a physical and high-energy game to take first place in Group B. Women’s Asian Cup.
With the result, North Korea advanced to the quarter-finals against Australia in Perth, where hosts and 2023 World Cup semi-finalists will play on Friday. The tournament opens with a victory over the Philippines.
China and North Korea have already secured their place in the quarter-finals with two wins each ahead of their showdown at Western Sydney Stadium. Uzbekistan defeated Bangladesh 4-0 in Perth, taking 3rd place in the group and securing a place in the finals.
North Korea, playing in its first Women’s Asian Cup tournament since losing to Australia in the 2010 final, needed only a draw with China to top its group. Then, in the 32nd minute, Kim Kyung-young scored on a counterattack, scoring the first shot on goal of the game and taking the lead.
However, the lead did not last long as China equalized two minutes later with a stunning shot from the edge of the area by Cheng Qiaozhu through traffic.
China ended the first half in a tense situation, and Wang Shuang’s goal was recognized by VAR just before stoppage time in the second half.
The VAR decision overturning the assistant referee’s offside decision upset the North Korean players, and as the team protested on the sideline, coach Ri Seong-ho received a yellow card from referee Thi Lee Le. North Korean players did not return to the pitch until halftime was called.
Both teams had chances in the second half, and in the 78th minute, North Korean goalkeeper Yoo Sung-gum made a full-body diving save to convert Wang’s powerful left-footed shot, and two minutes later 19-year-old Choi Il-sung looked set to equalize, but was ruled offside by VAR.
In Perth, Dildra Nojimova scored two goals in six minutes for Uzbekistan, scoring her first goal just two minutes after coming on as a substitute at the same time.
State of play
The top two teams in each of the three groups will advance to the quarterfinals along with the top two teams in third place.
In group A, South Korea beat Australia to take first place on goal difference after a 3-3 draw in Sydney on Sunday night. South Korea will play the third place team from Group B or Group C in the quarterfinals. The Philippines defeated Iran to take third place and still have a slight chance of advancing. put it down Iranian women’s team lost and faces the prospect of returning to a country at war.
In group C, Two-time champion Japan They lead with six points heading into the final group game against Vietnam, who are tied for second place with Taiwan on three points. Taiwan has finished the group stage with India.
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