In their first game on this stage since the Final in 2010, DPR Korea began their opening clash against Uzbekistan in dominant fashion, taking the lead as early as the sixth minute.
Myong Yu-Jong struck a cracking volley to give DPRK an incredibly early advantage. Their relentless attacking pressure continued throughout the first half, and Uzbek shotstopper Maftuna Jonimqulova became a casualty, substituted for Zarina Saidova following a head clash while attempting to hold onto the ball.
The pressure continued to favour DPRK when Zarina Mamatkarimova brought down Chae Un-Yong with a poor sliding challenge from behind, resulting in a penalty. Myong comfortably converted the spot kick in the 24th minute to double the lead and her own tally.
It would not be the final penalty of the half, as about 16 minutes later Marina Khikmatova’s outstretched arm led to another spot kick, which Myong once again slotted into the bottom left corner to complete a first-half hat-trick.
The second half saw DPR Korea head coach Ri Song-Ho rotate his squad, resting several starters for future matches. The attacking intent remained, but Uzbekistan put up a defensive wall for the remainder of the game, preventing any further goals.
DPRK’s efforts were more measured to avoid risking injury, and with a goalless second half, the match finished 3–0 to DPR Korea.
In the later game at Western Sydney Stadium, Bangladesh gave defending champions China a sterner test than expected. The Women’s Asian Cup debutants produced several inspiring attacking runs, rarely seen from teams considered to be on a similar level in this tournament.
Ritu Porna Chakma even attempted a daring lob from 40 metres out, which was impressively tipped over the bar by China’s Chen Chen.
Inevitably, however, China proved they were the stronger and more experienced side. After a disallowed header in the 24th minute from Wang Shuang, the former Tottenham winger eventually made the breakthrough on the stroke of half-time with a well-placed long-range strike that nestled into the top left corner.
Shortly before the interval, veteran Zhang Rui doubled the lead with a low, driven effort that Bangladesh failed to deal with adequately, as the ball rolled past the defensive line and goalkeeper Mile Akter.
Aside from that brief lapse, Akter delivered an outstanding performance in goal, producing several superb diving saves to keep China at bay. Despite the gap in quality, Bangladesh persisted in the second half, frustrating China and keeping the score at 2–0 until the final whistle.
WHAT WE LEARNED
DPR Korea are here to win: It is remarkable to consider that this DPR Korea side has been absent from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for 16 years. Ranked ninth in the FIFA standings, second only to Japan within the AFC, and dominant at U17 and U20 level as reigning world champions in both age groups, this resurgence has been years in the making. After this convincing victory, DPR Korea are undoubtedly among the favourites and appear determined to go one better than their runner-up finish in 2010.
China’s patient approach: Unlike some of the other favourites at the tournament, China did not adopt a barrage-style attacking approach, firing shots in the hope that one would find the back of the net. Instead, they built play methodically from the back, with wide forwards drifting infield to create passing lanes.
While this was clearly a considered strategy, it did not entirely pay off against a significantly lower-ranked Bangladesh side, who were not even sitting deep in defence as underdogs often do.
Interceptions were frequent, and China made limited use of width. Moving forward, coach Ante Milicic will need to return to the drawing board, particularly with tougher challenges against Uzbekistan and DPR Korea ahead.
WHAT THEY SAID
Ritu Porna Chakna – Bangladesh: “I was very nervous at the beginning. We have learned a lot playing against defending champions China. I feel very proud to represent my nation at such a big stage like the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.”
On her first half attempt – “I really thought the ball was going in. It would have been the best goal of my career.”
Ri Song-ho – DPR Korea Coach: “What I was really concerned with was our team’s mental preparation, but luckily we scored early and that made our team relaxed throughout the whole game.
“From today’s match I was able to find out a lot of other problems with the team that I need to fix for the next matches, which we will fix and in the next match we will show you better play.”
WHAT COMES NEXT
The four teams are set to remain in Western Sydney ahead of their next round of fixtures on Friday.
Bangladesh vs. DPR Korea
Friday 6 March at 1:00pm
Western Sydney Stadium
Uzbekistan vs. China
Friday 6 March at 7:00pm
Western Sydney Stadium
