Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pyongyang: For any coach, managing a world champion team would be a challenge. This is indeed the case for German Thomas Gerstner, whose side are none other than two-time and reigning FIFA U20 Women's World Cup champions DPR Korea.
The 51-year-old former Arminia Bielefeld boss was appointed head coach of DPR Korea U20 side in May, making him the first foreign coach in the team’s prestigious history.
Having spent the past six months with his new side, during which he took them through Asian qualifying to next year's FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in France, Gerstner took time out to talk with FIFA.com about his experiences at the helm.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/sung-hyang-sim_dpr-korea_aaa2017-nominee_jpg.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Even as the dust settles on the hugely successful AFC U-19 Women's Championship that concluded in Nanjing, China PR on Saturday, attention turns to the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in France next year.
Asian teams have always impressed in FIFA women's age-group tournaments and after two weeks of high octane action in the AFC U-19 Women's Championship, the Continent can look forward to another great run in France next year.
Japan, DPR Korea and China will represent Asia and the rest of the cast will be fully aware that the Asian teams cannot be underestimated.
Japan and DPR Korea played a gripping final on Sunday and in the end, were only separated by a moment of brilliance from Riko Ueki.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Nanjing: Japan completed a near-perfect tournament to become AFC U-19 Women’s champions for a record fifth time, seeing off previously unbeaten DPR Korea 1-0 thanks to a superb Riko Ueki goal.
After a tense and close-fought match, Futoshi Ikeda’s side continued their remarkable run of second-half scoring to claim back-to-back titles, following their 2015 win against the same opponents.
World champions at U-17 and U-20 level, DPR Korea finished as runners-up for the fourth consecutive time as their search for a first AFC U-19 Women’s Championship crown since 2007 went unfulfilled.
Having both convincingly beaten all comers since the tournament began two weeks, the teams spent the early moments feeling each other out in what was a cagey opening.
Thomas Gerstner’s side had been consistently fast starters in Nanjing, and the final represented the first time in the tournament they failed to take the lead within the first quarter of an hour.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Nanjing: China PR secured a ticket to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in France, producing their best performance of the tournament to beat Australia 3-0 to claim third place at the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship in Nanjing on Saturday.
He Luyao scored early, before a second half burst ensured the Young Steel Roses will return to the global youth championship after having missed the 2016 edition, while the drought continues for Australia, who haven’t qualified since 2006.
After resting the large majority of his first team for the semi-final against DPR Korea, Australian head coach Gary van Egmond made 10 personnel changes, with Ellie Carpenter the only player to start both knockout matches.
There was much more continuity in the Chinese line-up, with Zhao Yujie the only new face, and they started in a positive manner, with Zhi Jie in particular causing problems on the left.