A familiar scene unfolded once again in the mixed zone following Korea DPR’s 2-0 victory over Brazil in the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025™. Yu Jong-hyang was back in the spotlight – quite literally. For the third time at this tournament, the forward was named Player of the Match — and proudly posed for the cameras with her trophy, soaking up the attention as flashes fired all around her.
“I may have received this award, but I believe it’s thanks to the trust and expectations of all our team-mates and our coaching staff,” said the modest 16-year-old to FIFA. “I will continue to work harder and run even more for the team.”
Against a gritty Brazil side that was reduced to ten players before the interval, chances were not abundant for Yu. But when opportunities arose, she needed no second invitation. The 25 April SC striker stepped up to convert a penalty in the 44th minute following Andreyna’s dismissal, before reacting sharply inside the box to add a second just after the break.
“Scoring such an important goal in this tournament means a lot to me,” she said.
But what she may not have realised as she left the pitch was the significance of that strike. Her eighth of the competition was enough to equal the record for most goals in a single edition of the tournament, shared by Korea Republic’s Yeo Minji (2010), Korea DPR’s Ri Un-sim (2012) and Spain’s Lorena Navarro (2016). “Once again, I think I’m only here thanks to my team,” she responded.
With the tournament expanded this year, Yu will have a seventh match on Saturday to further cement her name in the history books and take sole ownership of that record. And the milestones may not stop there. Should Korea DPR take the title, she will be among the clear favourites to claim the adidas Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player – not to mention the adidas Golden Boot, which already seems well within her grasp.
One of her biggest challengers in both categories is none other than teammate Kim Won-sim. The 15-year-old prodigy from the Pyongyang International Football School has already collected two Player of the Match honours in Morocco and found the net six times.
“Won-sim has supported me so much in this tournament,” Yu said. “That’s why I’ve been able to achieve what I have. I really hope she continues to play at such a high level.”
Asked which of the two is the better player, she could only smile shyly before replying: “I don’t know who is the best in our team, but I think Won-sim is better than me. She’s more amazing.”
Humble as ever, the tournament’s standout performer also received glowing praise from her coach Pak Song-jin – a man not known for lowering his demands.
“As a forward, Jong-hyang has all the qualities and characteristics required to become a top-class player,” he told FIFA. “She possesses excellent attacking skills and abilities. And I believe she will continue to grow and establish herself as a brilliant player in the future.”
Who ultimately comes out on top in the Yu versus Kim duel may matter little – so long as Korea DPR continue to reap the rewards. And so far, everything is going to plan.
