Penalty heartbreak for DPR Korea

Baku: DPR Korea had to settle for second place at the 2012 FIFA Women's World Cup following a 7-6 penalty shootout defeat to France in Saturday's final at the Tofig Bahramov Stadium.
DPR Korea went into the match looking to claim top honours for the second time in three tournaments following their triumph in the inaugural event in 2008 as well as ensuring a hat-trick of title for Asia, with neighbours Korea Republic winning the 2010 tournament with a penalty shootout win over Japan.
However, the North Koreans found themselves a goal down 33 minutes into a first-half totally dominated by the French, with Lea Declerq slotting the ball home after latching on to a superb pass from Ghoutia Karchouni.
Having failed to muster a single shot on target in the first period DPR Korea came out strongly after the interval and got the equaliser their pressure deserved with 11 minutes remaining.
Choe Yun-gyong's long-range effort hit the woodwork but Ri Un-sim was ideally placed to convert the rebound for her tournament-topping eighth of the campaign.
The Koreans could have sealed the win in the closing stages but Choe headed narrowly wide from a corner before Ri Hyang-sim – who ultimately emerged with the Silver Ball award for the tournament's second best player behind France's Griedge Mbock Bathy – also missed from close range sending the match into a shootout, which was won by France as Ri Un-yong missed her spotkick.
It was the first time a team from Europe had won the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup but still another impressive campaign for Asia, with the Fair Play award going to Japan, whose midfielder Yui Hasegawa picked up the Bronze Ball award as the competition's third best player.

source : afc.com

11-goal Korea DPR crush Gambia

© Getty Images

Korea DPR laid down a gauntlet on the opening day of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup by thrashing Gambia 11-0 in their Group B encounter in Baku.
The North Koreans, winners of this tournament four years ago, were far too strong for their African opponents, who are appearing at a major FIFA competition for the very first time.
Ri Un Sim and Ri Kyong Hyang both bagged trebles as one of the genuine contenders for the title sent a message to section rivals France and USA against admittedly shell-shocked opponents.
From the first whistle the Asian side were dominant and although it took them almost 20 minutes to register, three goals in as many minutes put the result beyond doubt.
Choe Yun Gyong capitalised on a rebound to break the deadlock on 18 minutes, and further goals from Ri Un Sim and Ri Kyong Hyang followed a minute apart as Gambia struggled to regain their composure.
Ri Un Sim completed a hat-trick before half-time, first converting a spot-kick and then a smart finish from the edge of the area, before Kim Phyong Hwa made it half-a-dozen in the opening period for Korea DPR.
Korea DPR took their foot off the gas to a degree in the second half but wasteful passing from Gambia, allied to some clinical counter-attacking play, saw them extend their advantage by another five goals.
Ri Kyong Hyang secured a treble of her own after scoring in the 63rd and 77th minutes, sandwiching an effort by Kim So Hyang. Ri Hyang Sim rounded off the result with two late individual efforts as Korea DPR proved their credentials immediately.
They will now face France on Tuesday while Gambia will attempt to resurrect their campaign against USA on the same day, with both games taking place in Baku.
The quote
"I am obviously very happy with the result and the score, but we have two more games ahead of us and we have to give our best in each of them. The first match was very important to give more experience to the girls and this is a process that will continue in the next couple of games. Gambia is not a weak side at all and some of their players did quite well today, but the first match is always tense", Hwang Yong Bong, Korea DPR coach

FIFA.com

DPRK down hosts to reach last eight

Couva: Defending champions DPR Korea advanced to the last eight of the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup courtesy of a 1-0 win over tournament hosts Trinidad and Tobago.

The East Asians were fastest out of the blocks at the Ato Boldon Stadium as Kim Su-gyong flicked home Pong Son-hwa’s free-kick with just three minutes gone and with neither side able to add to the tally it was the North Koreans that rounded off the group stage with two wins and one defeat.

Following the single-goal win over the Soca Princesses and an earlier 3-0 triumph over Chile, Ri Song-gun’s side progress to the quarter-finals as Group A runners-up behind Nigeria, who defeated DPR Korea (3-2), Trinidad & Tobago (2-1) and Chile (5-0).

DPR Korea, champions of the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2008 when they defeated the USA 2-1 in extra-time, will now face tournament favourites Germany, who sealed top spot in Group B with a 3-0 defeat of AFC U-16 Women’s Champions Korea Republic.

afc.com

DPR Korea ready for title defence

Port of Spain: DPR Korea will kick off their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title defence against Nigeria here in capital of Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.

The East Asians won the inaugural championship two years back by defeating USA in the final.

Also representing Asia are Korea Republic, who are the current continental champions, and Japan.

For DPR Korea to emulate their success of the previous championship, determination holds the key.

Sin Ui-Gun, the coach of DPR Korea, said: "The one thought our players have is to win matches to send a report of victory to our country."

Sin will be banking on key players Kim Kum-Jong to deliver Pong Son-Hwa in a tough group comprising Nigeria, Chile and hosts Trinidad and Tobago.


afc.com