DPR Korea beat China in women's football Olympic qualifier

XIAMEN, China -- China lost 2-1 to DPR Korea in Group B of the 2024 Olympic women's football Asian qualifiers here on Thursday.

The DPR Koreans stunned the hosts with a quick counter just four minutes into the match, when captain Sung Hyang Sim sent home a low shot between two Chinese defenders after Kim Kyong Yong had broken through the defence from the right.

In the absence of injured star forward Wang Shuang, China hardly threatened in the first half and only had one long-range shot on target from Shen Mengyu in the 30th minute.

After the interval, China coach Shui Qingxia brought on young forwards Zhang Linyan and Yan Jinjin. In the 51st minute, Yan levelled the scores from a rebound after Wang Yanwen's attempt was blocked by a defender.

The DPR Koreans regained the lead in the 76th minute, when substitute Han Jin Hong dribbled past China captain Wang Shanshan and slotted home.

China had opportunities to find an equalizer, but Li Mengwen's effort in the 86th minute was cleared before crossing the goal line.

"We played very nervously in the first half, and our players were too anxious to control the ball. We did better in the second half, and it was a pity that we lost. My players tried their best, but that's football," rued Shui afterwards.

According to tournament regulations, three group winners and the best runner-up will advance to the final stage of the Asian qualifiers.

"We all know what it means about the loss. We have to forget the result and play our best football in the next two matches," Shui noted.

Group B's other match on Thursday saw the Republic of Korea triumph 10-1 over Thailand.

On Sunday, China will play Thailand, while the DPRK will face the ROK.