Uzbekistan lose to DPR Korea in AFC U-19 Women’s Championship Qualifiers

A Ju Hyo-sim goal gave DPR Korea an early advantage, before they U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cup holders pulled away with a Kim Pom-ui goal in the second half.

The result confirms a group stage elimination for Uzbekistan, who have suffered consecutive losses to East Asian opposition.

It had taken just 12 minutes for DPR Korea to score in their 9-0 win against Thailand, and this time they took the lead in less than 10, as Ju Hyo-sim poked home Sung Hyang-sim’s lobbed header to give her side the lead.

But that’s where the similarities with the Thailand match ended, as Uzbekistan proved themselves to be a far more formidable proposition defensively, and gave as good as they got in the physical battle.

After the first goal, DPR Korea endured a spell where they lacked their usual cutting edge – and they were thwarted numerous times by both Solikha Khusniddinova and impressive Uzbek goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova.

While Uzbekistan made life difficult, it must be said that DPR Korea were wasteful, and spurned several opportunities.

Bahrom Norsafarov’s side reached half-time with the score at 1-0, but DPR Korea would raise the tempo in the second half, and nearly doubled their lead when Jonimquolva spilled a simple catch in the 57^th minute, only for Ri Hae-yon to miss the opportunity to score from an acute angle.

But the very next minute the second goal came, as Kim Pom-hui thundered home a rasping low drive from the edge of the penalty area to put DPR Korea on the verge of victory.

DPR Korea continued to take the game to Uzbekistan – who lacked an attacking threat of their own – but despite a near-constant threat, the third goal never materialised.

While Thomas Gerstner’s side richly deserved their win, credit must go to Uzbekistan, who suffered a 13-0 loss the last time these two teams met in the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship in 2004, and conceded 15 goals in their first two group stage matches in the tournament as recently as two years ago.

In 2017 that figure is a mere four, a testament to the rapid improvement of the Central Asians.

They have the opportunity to end their campaign on a high-note in their final match against eliminated Thailand, while DPR Korea are set for a group-deciding blockbuster against host nation China.

Source: AFC