Korea DPR win record third title

For much of the past four weeks there’s been a sense of inevitability about this outstanding Korea DPR side. As others waned physically, they improved. As confidence wavered elsewhere, Korea rose. One-by-one they slayed some of the biggest names at the tournament. The Netherlands, semi-finalists two years ago, were brushed aside in the groups, 10-time South American champions Brazil dispatched in the quarters, record title holders USA mowed down in the quarters before Japan, 2018 champions, were swatted aside in the final.

In doing so Korea DPR join Germany and USA as the only three-time champions at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™ and it was fitting that it was this generation, perhaps one of the finest the tournament has seen, that set that mark.

On Sunday evening in the Colombian capital, Japan got about as close to the Koreans as they did the Monserrate mountain range that rings Bogota’s Estadio El Campin.

Ri Song-ho’s side were on top from the early exchanges and never let up, Japan suffocated by their relentless pressure and dizzying movement off the ball, surgical counters and clinical finishing.

At the heart of much of the Korean’s best work, once again, was adidas Golden Boot and Golden Ball winner, Choe Il-son. The 17-year-old forced a smart save from Akane Okuma in just the fifth minute before handing her nation the lead on the quarter-hour mark with a solo goal of the highest order.

Picking up the ball on Japan’s left, she eased past a baffled Rio Sasaki, surged into the box, twisted Aemu Oyama inside-out and sent home a shot that arrowed between a trio of Japanese defenders, brushed off the head of Uno Shiragaki and flew into the goal.

The Young Nadeshiko struggled to find a way to play through the Korean press and were often left to resort to hopeful, long-range efforts with one of those, from Manaka Matsukubo sailing harmlessly over the bar as the first half came to a close.

Korea DPR continued to set the tempo after the re-start, both Sin Hyang and Choe sending efforts over the bar before Japan, in the 82nd minute, finally had their first shot on target.

Shinomi Koyama’s strike though was a tame one, easily dealt with by Chae Un-gyong as the match wore down to an outcome it always seemed destined for; Korea DPR, the dominant nation at Colombia 2024, now record three-time champions.