Defending champions North Korea advanced to the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup semi-finals after overpowering Thailand 6-0 in their last eight tie last night.
The victory also confirmed North Korea – who will face China on Thursday – will defend their title at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026.
China were in control from the start as they advanced to the semi-finals with a 3-0 win against India in their last eight tie.
North Korea controlled proceedings right from the start with Yu Jong Hyang having early attempts, seeing her long distance strike saved by Pimlapat Aeewong before sending a second effort into the side netting from close range.
The tournament’s leading scorer, however, was not to be denied a third time, taking on Ri Ui Gyong’s pass in the 17th minute before curling an unstoppable shot into the far top corner from the edge of the box.
Ri and Yu combined again three minutes later to double North Korea’s advantage, the latter planting a firm downward header to the former’s cross to beat Pimlapat for the second time.
Thailand’s troubles deepened a minute into first half added time when defender Arisa Tamsakul inadvertently diverted Kim So Yon’s cross from the right into her own net as North Korea took a commanding lead at the break.
There was no respite for Thailand after the interval with North Korea adding a fourth two minutes into the second half.
Ui Gyong clipped a forward pass that was nodded on by Kim Won Sim to set up Ri Kyong Im inside the box to smash home past Pimlapat.
Substitute So Ye Rim was denied on a couple of occasions before eventually finding the net in the 70th minute when she waltzed past three markers to fire home a low shot from an acute angle.
So put the icing on a dominant North Korea performance with her second in the 81st minute, stooping to head home Won Sol Gyong’s deflected cross.
Meanwhile, China started on the front foot with Li Yaqi seeing her close range effort blocked by Abhista Basnett in the fourth minute before Liu Yuxi was foiled by India goalkeeper Munni Bhambhu moments later.
India were kept on their toes as Huang Qinyi tried to test Munni from distance in the 10th minute, only to send her shot over the bar with Wang Chenxi striking the bar before Li Yaqi’s follow-up from inside the box was blocked by the Indian defence.
The South Asian side nearly caught China against the run of play just before the half-hour mark with Joya Joya connecting to Pritika Barman’s cross inside the box but her effort was blocked before India earned a corner.
The pressure continued to build with Zheng Niman seeing a long-range strike thwarted before China finally opened the scoring in the 38th minute through Huang Qinyi, who finished from the centre of the box following Liu Yuxi’s cutback.
India almost conceded a second with Zhao Siqing first firing narrowly wide from distance in the 40th minute before blazing the ball over the crossbar from inside the area a minute later.
China eventually added a second deep into first-half stoppage time after Liu Yuxi was brought down by Ritu Badaik inside the area, with the latter stepping up to convert the spot-kick herself.
China almost extended their lead two minutes after the restart with Liu Yuxi seeing her effort from inside the box blocked, with Zhao Siqing firing over the bar from distance, while Li Qixian dragged her shot narrowly wide in the 53rd minute.
India struggled to break out of their own half as China kept up the pressure with Li Qixian seeing another attempt blocked before Munni produced a fine save to deny Wu Yichen’s low drive from outside the area.
The third goal arrived after India failed to deal with Wu Yichen’s cross, with the loose clearance falling kindly to Cheng Wandi, who threaded a pass through for the unmarked Li Qixian to slot home from close range.
