_*By Shakeel ur Rehman
Sydney, Australia_*
AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 contenders North Korea secured their place in the quarter-finals with a dominant 5–0 victory over Bangladesh in their Group B clash on Friday.
The win moved DPR Korea to six points from two matches and their qualification was confirmed later in the day when China defeated Uzbekistan 3–0 in the group’s other encounter. The two East Asian teams will now meet on Monday to determine the Group B winners.
DPR Korea, unchanged from their opening 3–0 win over Uzbekistan, initially struggled to break down a resilient Bangladesh side, who made two changes following their 2–0 loss to China PR earlier in the week.
The three-time champions had the ball in the net in the 14th minute through Kim Kyong Yong, but the effort was ruled out after a VAR review showed Myong Yu Jong had handled the ball earlier in the build-up.
Another DPR Korea goal was disallowed in the 26th minute when Han Jin Hong poked the ball home from close range, with the referee ruling she had kicked it out of goalkeeper Mile Akter’s grasp.
Kim Kyong Yong again thought she had scored on the half-hour mark, but VAR ruled the forward offside. Moments later she struck the crossbar with a header while Jin Hong dragged a shot wide after breaking into the penalty area.
The breakthrough finally arrived in first-half stoppage time when Hong Song Ok was brought down in the penalty area by Afeida Khandaker. Hat-trick hero from the previous match Myong Yu Jong calmly converted the resulting spot-kick.
DPR Korea doubled their lead just two minutes later as Chae Un Yong found Kim Kyong Yong inside the box, the forward firing into the bottom corner from a tight angle.
Earlier at the same venue, defending champions China PR confirmed their quarter-final place with a comfortable 3–0 win over Uzbekistan.
Despite making nine changes to their starting lineup, China PR controlled possession from the start while Uzbekistan adopted a deep defensive approach.
China PR broke the deadlock in the 30th minute when Shao Ziqin converted a penalty after her jersey was pulled by Kholida Dadaboeva, with referee Supiree Testhomya immediately pointing to the spot.
Shao nearly doubled the lead just before halftime when she met Chen Qiaozhu’s cutback, but goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova produced a fine save to deny her.
The result confirmed both DPR Korea and China PR as the first teams from Group B to reach the knockout stage
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