Defending FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™ champions Korea DPR have seen off Australia to qualify for a ninth edition of the global finals. Korea Republic also secured their passage to Poland 2026, downing hosts Thailand in the quarterfinals of the ongoing AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup.
The other pair of winning last eight combatants, Japan and China PR, round out the quartet of nations set to fly the AFC flag in September.
Korea DPR goals: Pak Ok-I (3), Rubi Sullivan (74 og), Ro Un-hyang (90)
In a stop-start contest in Pathum Thani, Korea DPR struck early and late to see off a spirited Young Matildas side. Captain Pak Ok-I tucked home a Choe Rim-jong cross at the back post to hand the defending global champions an early lead, and one that they would take to the interval.
Australia lost Danella Butrus to injury and most of the hope of a comeback after a driving Ro Un-hyang run led to a own goal with a quarter of an hour to play.
Ro then capped off the ultimately comfortable win, pouncing on a loose Ilona Melegh pass, racing through on goal and rolling into an empty net.
Thailand goal: Madison Casteen (72)
Korea Republic goals: Nam Seungeun (16), Park Juha (106)
When Korea Republic defender Nam Seungeun nodded home from a Han Minseo corner early on, things were going to script for the East Asian side that were targeting an eighth appearance at the U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Hosts Thailand, having featured just once before at the global showpiece, responded though to that set-back by placing their more fancied foes under sustained pressure.
Forward Kurisara Limpawanich was a lively presence throughout and it was her defence-splitter that teed up the leveller for Madison Casteen midway through the second term.
That sent the contest to extra-time where Korea eventually prevailed as Park Juha raced onto a lofted Jin Hyerin pass and pierced a retreating Thai defence and advancing keeper to secure a third consecutive appearance at the U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Images courtesy of the AFC
