DPR Korea fight back to lift title
Jon Ryong jong scored twice as DPR Korea came from behind to defeat Japan 2-1 in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 final at the JAR Stadium on Saturday.
18/03/2024 11:09:57
Victory for DPR Korea ended their long wait for the title, having last won the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship in 2007 and having finished runners-up in the last five editions.
It was heartbreak for Japan, who entered the final aiming to add to their record six AFC U-19 Women’s Championship titles.
Japan started the brighter, with Maya Hijikata bursting into the DPR Korea box in the third minute before squaring the ball to Aemu Oyama who, however, struck her effort straight into the arms of goalkeeper Chae Un gyong.
DPR Korea got into the thick of the action two minutes later with Choe Il son firing a warning shot, forcing Japan keeper Akari Kashima to produce a fingertip save with her effort from inside the six-yard-box.
DPR Korea almost caught Japan napping in the 13th minute when Kim Song ok pounced on a defensive mistake by Japan’s Uno Shiragaki, with the midfielder sending a looping long range effort which sailed over the bar.
It was Japan, however, who scored the opening goal when Hijikata burst down the right flank in the 20th minute before setting up Ai Tsujisawa to nod home from close range.
DPR Korea came close to drawing level three minutes later when Hwang Yu yong’s cross into the box presented Chae Un yong with the perfect opportunity but the DPR Korea captain’s shot took a deflection before reaching the gloves of Kashima.
DPR Korea’s persistence, however, paid off in the 44th minute when Ryong jong rose highest to nod home Un yong’s cross from the right flank.
Japan maintained their intensity in the opening minutes of the second half but their efforts to regain the lead fell flat with Moka Hiwatari, Hiromi Yoneda and Oyama all missing their attempts.
DPR Korea barely troubled the Japanese defence with Il son seeing her effort from just above the box easily saved by Kashima in the 66th minute, while Kim Song gyong failed to find the target from distance when she sent her effort over the bar.
DPR Korea refused to give up and brought the best out of Kashima when Kim Kang mi’s close range header off a corner was kept out by the Japanese custodian’s fingertip in the 76th minute.
However, DPR Korea were not to be denied the title, scoring the winner in the 86th minute when Jong Kum forced her way down the right flank before sending a deep cross for Ryong jong to head home.
There was to be no comeback for Japan as DPR Korea lifted the trophy, with both teams now setting their sights on the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024.
Source: AFC
