Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pyongyang: An impressive DPR Korea started their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 Group B qualifying campaign in spectacular fashion on Monday thanks to a resounding 8-0 victory over India at the Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang.
The home side were dominant throughout and could have won by a larger margin if not for the heroics of India’s second choice goalkeeper Panthoi who, deputising for injured regular custodian Aditi Chauhan, made several superb saves.
Ranked tenth in the world, some 46 places above their South Asian opponents, DPR Korea started brightly and broke the deadlock on seven minutes when Ri Un-yong powered home a header from Wi Jong-sim’s corner.
Forward Ryi Kyong-hyang duly doubled the lead six minutes later with a simple tap in after some fine work in the penalty area by Ri Hyang-sim.
The provider, who was part of DPR Korea’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup winning team, then turned poacher with a thunderous low drive from distance in the 21st minute, before left winger Kim Phyong-hwa latched on to a perfectly timed through-ball and fired past the onrushing Panthoi to hand a DPR Korea a deserved 4-0 lead going into the break.
Kim Kwang-min’s side continued the second half in a similar fashion, Wi getting on to the end of a pin point cross just three minutes after the restart. Wi then doubled her tally from the penalty spot after she was brought down in the box by India’s Ashalata Devi Loitongbam.
With just twelve minutes remaining, Wi was in the thick of the action once again, this time sliding in a perfectly weighted pass for Kim Phyong-hwa to curl home her second goal of the game.
Two minutes later, substitute Sung Hyang-sim rounded off the scoring and repaid coach Kim Kwang-min’s decision to bring her on with a neat finish.
DPR Korea will look to build on the momentum of their breathtaking start when they take on Hong Kong on Wednesday, 3pm local time. India meanwhile, will face a recharged Korea Republic side who will be playing their first Group B qualifying match at 6pm local time.
DPR Korea head coach Kim Kwang-min:
"There are many new players here. At least seventy percent are new players but they all did well. I am rather concerned that they may not be familiar with the Asian Cup so it is important to get as many games as possible. Our ultimate goal is to qualify for Jordan 2018."
India head coach Sajid Yousof Dar:
"Playing against better teams is good for us. It was a learning curve for us, playing against a world class team, we have come here positively, and hopefully play hard to fulfil our potential and take many positives from this competition. The girls gave their best for a full 90 minutes, and it is important that we learn from our mistakes and look to get better for the next match. We are looking forward to developing women’s football. Things are definitely improving in the women’s game in India and with the new Indian Women’s League, of course the aim is to keep improving."
Photo: DPR Korea Football Association