North Korea’s women’s under-20 national team was a mystery in Asian and global football at the start of the year, having not played a competitive match in almost five years due to the country’s strict COVID-19 measures, which led to their withdrawal from the 2022 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
As a result, their squad consisted of a new generation of players with limited international experience.
However, they have now made history by securing a record-equalling third FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup title, defeating Japan 1-0 in Bogota on Sunday.
Pre World Cup Success :
After a sluggish start to the year, with a 1-1 draw against China in their opening AFC Under-20 Women’s Asian Cup match, North Korea’s young squad rapidly gained momentum.
They went on to claim the Asian Cup title in convincing fashion, defeating their southern rivals in the semifinals and then overcoming defending champions Japan in both the group stage and the final.
“To firstly win the Asian Cup and now follow that with this success means that I’m so proud of the team,” said the team coach, Ri Song-ho, following their World Cup triumph.
Columbia 2024
North Korea’s under-20 women’s team, led by Ri Song-ho team made a sensational debut in Colombia, leaving a lasting impact from the outset.
They kicked off their campaign with a resounding 6-2 victory over Argentina, followed by a 9-0 thrashing of Costa Rica, sending a clear message to their competitors that they’re a force to be reckoned with.
A convincing win over the Netherlands, marked by two goals and a clean sheet, capped off an almost flawless group stage performance, positioning them advantageously for the knockout rounds.
North Korea’s winning streak continued in the Round of 16, with a convincing 5-2 victory over Austria.
However, their dominance was soon to be tested in the subsequent knockout rounds. A challenging quarterfinal match against Brazil, a South American powerhouse, proved to be a tightly contested and cautious encounter, with both teams reluctant to concede any ground.
Ultimately, North Korea’s Chae Un-yong scored a decisive goal from outside the box, securing a hard-fought win and advancing the Asian champions to the next stage.
North Korea’s next challenge was a highly anticipated semifinal showdown against the United States.
The match began as a closely contested and evenly balanced encounter, but the tide turned in North Korea’s favor when Choe Il-son, the eventual tournament’s top scorer, scored in the 22nd minute.
From that point on, North Korea dominated the game, maintaining their composure and securing a shutout victory.
This win marked a historic achievement, as they reached their fourth Under-20 Women’s World Cup final, making a record in the process.
North Korea’s Masterclass: Brilliant Display Propels Them to one step closer to World Cup Glory
Japan was the final hurdle for North Korea to overcome in their pursuit of the title, as the two teams faced off for the third time in 2024.
On the grandest stage of them all, Ri’s team delivered a phenomenal performance that showcased the culmination of their finest moments from the entire tournament.
Choe Il-son’s 15th minute winner capped a superb tournament for North Korea, who won every single game in Colombia.
Golden Girl: 17-Year-Old Choe wins Golden Boot and Golden Ball
Choe’s phenomenal performance was the icing on the cake for North Korea, as the 17-year-old forward dominated the individual awards, taking home both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball.
Her talent and potential suggest that she won’t be in the youth ranks for long, and a call-up to the senior national team is likely just around the corner.
After a brief hiatus from the spotlight, North Korea has reemerged as a force to be reckoned with in international football, making a triumphant return at the U-20 World Cup.
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Story by Asack Pius|univers.ug.edu.gh
