Wednesday 06 November 2019, 14:59

Korea DPR, Japan & Korea Republic advance to global finals

  • Korea DPR, Japan book U-20 Women's World Cup places

  • Both will contest Saturday's AFC U-19 Women's Championship final

  • Korea Republic join them by beating Australia in third-place play-off

Korea DPR and Japan booked their places at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2020 after advancing to the final of the AFC U-19 Women's Championship in Thailand. They were later joined at the global finals by Korea Republic, who saw off Australia in the play-off for third place.

Two goals from Kim Kyong-yong within the opening ten minutes gave Korea DPR a dream start in their 3-1 semi-final victory against Korea Republic, before substitute Pak Il-gyong drilled the ball past goalkeeper Kim Sujeong to make it three after the break.

Korea Republic hit back with a consolation from the penalty spot through skipper Kang Jiwoo before the hour-mark, as Korea DPR booked their place at an eighth successive U-20 Women’s World Cup. They have claimed the AFC U-19 Women's Championship once - in 2007 - and the global title in the age group twice: 2006 and 2016.

“I thought our players performed very well throughout the match and I believe that their tremendous sense of spirit and collectivism was one of the main factors behind the win,” head coach Son Sung-gwon told the the-afc.com. “Having made the final, the players will now do their absolute best to win the title.”

Later in the day, reigning U-20 Women's World Cup queens Japan went a step closer to defending their continental crown after a dominant 7-0 semi-final victory against Australia. In the first half, the Young Nadeshiko scored twice in two minutes through an Oto Kanno penalty and Haruka Osawa's close-range effort.

Things went from bad to worse after the break for the Young Matildas, who found themselves five goals down just seven minutes after the restart. Osawa doubled her tally on 48 minutes before Yuzuki Yamamoto slotted home the fourth two minutes later. Yamamoto then turned provider just two minutes after that when her inch-perfect cross was headed in by Sara Ito.

Maho Hirosawa then bagged a brace late on to make it seven and cap off a thunderous display by the Young Nadeshiko.

Asia's third and final berth at the U-20 Women's World Cup 2020 was decided on Saturday when Korea Republic saw off Australia with a comprehensive 9-1 victory in the play-off for third place. Kang Jiwoo grabbed four of the goals, with Noh Jinyoung, Choo Hyojoo (2), Hyun Seulgi and Cho Mijin also getting in on the act, meaning Mary Fowler's effort was ultimately in vain for the Young Matildas.

The win sees a return to the global finals for Korea Republic - who finished third in 2010 - after they failed to reach France 2018.

The trio join New Zealand, Germany, Spain, France and the Netherlands in the line-up for the tenth edition of the U-20 Women's World Cup next year.