Myong Yu Jong’s first-half hat-trick led the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to a 3-0 win over Uzbekistan in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. This marked DPRK’s return to the tournament after finishing as runner-up in 2010.
In a dominant display, DPRK’s Myong scored twice from penalties, while Uzbekistan struggled after a 23-year absence. Myong’s early volley set the tone, with Uzbekistan facing challenges, including a goalkeeper substitution due to injury.
The first half saw DPRK extending its lead with another penalty, expertly converted by Myong. Subsequently, DPRK secured the victory and will face Bangladesh next, while Uzbekistan takes on defending champion China.
China, in another match, began their campaign with a 2-0 win over Bangladesh. The Steel Roses controlled the game with goals towards the end of the first half, showcasing a strong performance against Bangladesh’s resilient defense.
Wang Shuang and Zhang Rui were instrumental for China, scoring crucial goals. Despite creating more chances, China couldn’t add to their lead, with Bangladesh’s goalkeeper making notable saves. China’s win places them behind DPR Korea in Group B standings.
