AFC Women's Asian Cup: Ri hits two as DPRK down hosts

Ri Kum-suk scored twice as DPR Korea cruised to their second consecutive victory at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup with a 3-0 defeat of Vietnam at Thong Nat Stadium on Friday.

Ri Kum-suk (left) bagged two goals as DPR Korea eased to a 3-0 win over AFC Women’s Asian Cup hosts Vietnam.

The North Korea skipper found the back of the net in each half to ensure Kim Kwang-min’s side at least a share of top spot in Group A as they easily overcame a Vietnam outfit that defended stoutly but offered practically nothing going forward.

DPR Korea took the lead after 11 minutes when Vietnamdefender Nguyen Thi Ngoc Ahn collided with Kim Yong-ae in the box and KoreaRepublic referee Hong Eun-ah pointed to the spot.

Ri Un-gyong calmly stroked the penalty into the bottom right-hand corner beyond the outstretched hand of keeper Dang Thi Kieu Trinh.

DPR Korea could have doubled their lead shortly afterwards when Kil Son-hui’s deep, hanging cross from the right was met by a rising Ri Kum-suk but Dang did well to turn the skipper’s downward header behind with her legs.

Kim Kwang-min’s side continued to pin Vietnam back in their own half but were finding it difficult to break down a resolute home defence, although Kil was proving a constant source of menace down the right flank.

Om Jong-ran fizzed a left-foot strike from outside the area narrowly past the post just after the half-hour mark before DPR Korea inevitably extended their advantage in the 39th minute.

Om progressed down the left unhindered and her cross was headed home from eight yards by an unmarked Ri Kum-suk beyond the flailing Dang as the Koreans went in at the break well in control.

Kil was replaced by Jo Yun-mi early in the second half before DPR Korea netted a third after 67 minutes.

Ri Kum-suk brought an excellent flying save out from Dang as the keeper tipped a re-taken free-kick over the bar.

But Vietnam’s respite was short-lived as the Korean skipper produced a diving header that flew in at the near post from Kim Kyong-hwa’s subsequent corner

The remaining 20 minutes was bereft of any real chances as DPR Korea seemed content just to keep hold of the ball.

Although the hosts brought the partisan crowd to life with a couple of raids into their opponents’ half, they ultimately came to nothing as poor distribution in the final third allowed the Koreans to cruise to three points without ever being tested throughout the game.