Asia has long been the standard-bearer for women’s youth football, with two thirds of all FIFA U-17 Women’s World™ Cup titles housed in the planet’s most populous continent.
Just as they have been at global level, where they hold a combined five titles, Japan and Korea DPR are the undisputed queens of the continent at this age group. It was little surprise then that it was that pair that ended up meeting in the final of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup for the sixth time in the past seven editions.
Both nations steamrolled through the group stage with an identical record of three wins, 21 goals scored and zero conceded. They continued that dominance in the knockouts, Japan reaching the final without conceding a single goal and the Koreans plundering a further ten en route to the decider.
In the eastern Chinese city of Suzhou, it was Korea DPR who proved far too powerful. As much as the team’s identity is built on cohesive team-work, there’s also little doubt that in the form of forward Yu Jong-hyang the Koreans have a potential global star in their midst.
The Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner from last year’s U-17 Women’s World Cup-winning side arrived to the final with 11 goals to her name; a tally that was higher than the combined number for every nation bar the Little Nadeshiko. She ended it with a further four, having torn apart a previously impenetrable Japanese defence.
The 16-year-old sent her nation to the break with a slender lead as she collected a Kim Won-sim pass and tucked it past Ayaka Miyaji on the half hour. Shortly after the resumption the prolific starlet grabbed another, racing onto a lofted ball and chipping Miyaji.
Yumi Hayashi pegged one back for Japan but Yu once again stamped her authority on things; teeing up Kim Won-sim for her nation’s third and then completing her hat-trick as she scored past Miyaji at her near post. Remarkably, she then grabbed a fourth late on to complete the 5-1 win, lashing home from the top of the box to cap off an exceptional individual display.
Under the guidance of coach Ji Yun-nam, who scored Korea DPR’s only goal at the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010™, the East Asian giants are now set to pursue an unprecedented third consecutive global title.
There, they will be joined by Japan, as well as Australia and China PR at the tenth edition of the U-17 Women’s World Cup, to be hosted in Morocco from 17 October to 7 November.
Tournament overview
Champions: Korea DPR
Runners-up: Japan
Most Valuable Player: Yu Jong-hyang (Korea DPR)
Top scorer: Yu Jong-hyang (Korea DPR)
Best goalkeeper: Kim Son-gyong (Korea DPR)
Fair play award: Korea DPR
