China beat North Korea 2-1 to top Group B in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup

Defending champions China defeated North Korea 2-1 on Monday in a physical, high-energy match to finish top of Group B in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

The result sent North Korea into the quarter-final against host country Australia in Perth on Friday.

China and North Korea had already secured a place in the quarter-finals with two wins each ahead of their meeting at Western Sydney Stadium. Uzbekistan finished third in the group after beating Bangladesh 4-0 in Perth and also booked their place in the knockout stages.

North Korea was playing its first Women’s Asian Cup since finishing second to Australia in 2010 and needed only a draw against China to top the group. They took the lead in the 32nd minute when Kim Kyong Yong finished off a counter-attack, the first shot on target of the match.

However, the lead was short-lived as China responded just two minutes later. Lihat juga edc3. Chen Qiaozhu produced a stunning strike from the edge of the penalty area in the 34th minute to level the score.

China took the lead in a tense end to the first half when Wang Shuang’s goal was awarded after a VAR review deep into stoppage time.

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The decision to overturn the assistant referee’s offside call upset the North Korean players and led to coach Ri Song Ho being shown a yellow card by referee Thi Ly Le as his team protested on the sidelines. The North Korean players did not return to the field until the half-time whistle blew.

In the second half both teams created chances. North Korean goalkeeper Yu Son Gum produced a full diving save to deny Wang’s powerful left-foot shot in the 78th minute. Two minutes later, 19-year-old Choe Il Son appeared to have equalized, but the goal was disallowed for offside after a new VAR review.

China, nine-time Asian Cup Women champions, are led by former Australian women’s coach Ante Milicic.

The top two teams from each of the three groups will advance to the quarter-finals, along with the two best third-placed teams.

In Group A, South Korea defeated Australia for top spot on goal difference after a 3-3 draw in Sydney on Sunday evening. South Korea will face the third-placed team from Group B or Group C in the quarter-finals. The Philippines finished third and will have to wait for other results.

In Group C, two-time champions Japan lead the standings with six points ahead of the final group match against Vietnam, who are level on three points with Chinese Taipei for second place. Chinese Taipei will conclude its group campaign against India.

Published on March 9, 2026