AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup #U17WAC – DPR Korea power to record fifth title
Suzhou: DPR Korea were at their customary best as they defeated Japan 5-1 to lift the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™ trophy at Suzhou Sports Centre Stadium on Sunday. Yu Jong Hyang scored four times to take her tournament tally to 15 goals, with Kim Won Sim adding the other to render Yumi Hayashi’s effort immaterial as DPR Korea moved past Japan to land a record-setting fifth title.
18/05/2026 17:03:52
The battle began even before the opening whistle as Sadayoshi Shirai kept his squad rotation going with five changes to his Japan starting line-up while DPR Korea’s Ji Yun Nam only swapped Ri Yu Song for Jo Ryong Jong.
Once the game started, DPR Korea had Japan pinned in their own half in the opening 25 minutes albeit without troubling goalkeeper Ayaka Miyaji too much, with only an off-target Yu header the only real opening created.
On an odd occasion when Japan were able to force a counter attack, Harura Matsushita released Mei Hanashiro into space to drive towards the box but the move fizzled out quickly with DPR Korea dropping back in numbers.
Their relentless pressure, however, did not waver and DPR Korea found the breakthrough in the 30th minute, Yu Jong Hyang chested Ri Ui Gyong’s cross and teed Won Sim for the shot – which was scuffed – but Yu retrieved the ball to sidefoot it home.
The goal woke Japan from their slumber as they started to see more of the ball but it was DPR Korea who went close again with Miyaji having to save Ri Ye Rim’s strike to keep the margin tight at the break.
Shirai made two changes for the second half by sending on Rara Higuchi and Runa Sumiya but had to witness Miyaji collecting the ball from her net for the second time in the 50th minute.
The reduced deficit, however, lasted two minutes as Yu chested down a long pass before setting up Won Sim for a swerving strike from outside the box which flew past the outstretched Miyaji.
Yu capped a wonderful tournament for herself and DPR Korea when she was sent racing towards goal in the 81st minute by Won Sim before adding another eight minutes later as the prolific player put the result beyond doubt.
