Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Nanjing: DPR Korea coach Hwang Yong-bong believes his players have room for improvement in the future after their defeat to Japan in the final of the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship following a 4-2 penalty shootout loss after a 0-0 stalemate on Saturday.
After being pegged by the Young Nadeshiko in the opening period at Jiangning Sports Centre Stadium, 2007 winners DPR Korea took control of the game after the interval, but missed golden opportunities in the dying minutes, with the tournament’s leading scorer Ri Un-sim and Kim Un-hwa both denied by Japan goalkeeper Chika Hirao.
Then with neither side able to break the deadlock over 120 minutes and the match entering a penalty shootout, Jo Ryon-hwa and Wo Jong-sim both failed to convert from the spot while Japan scored four from four to give Asako Takakura's side the win and condemn DPR Korea to a third successive runner-up spot.
Japan wins AFC U-19 Women’s Championship
“In the first half we were too excited to be in the final, but in the second half we played much better but missed so many opportunities,” said Hwang.
“At half-time I instructed them to calm down so they could start playing their best football.
“I set the tactics out to use the wings much more after the break, which we did, and performed much better.”
DPR Korea had been in impressive form leading up to the final, topping Group B after back-to-back wins over Thailand, Iran and Korea Republic before eliminating hosts China 2-0 in the semi-final.
And with six-goal Ri Un-sim in their ranks and a defence line that had yet to be breached, Hwang’s side would have been hopeful they could improve on second-place finishes in 2011 and 2013.
But after failing to hold their nerve from the spot after a dominant second half and extra time performance, DPR Korea were left to rue their missed opportunities.
“I told them after the penalty shootout that they can play much better in the future and that we have problems we need to correct,” added Hwang.
“We need to keep working to improve our passing and positioning; we can get better in the future and that is what we need to do.
“I am happy with our overall performance in the tournament. My players did well, but we know we have some areas where we need to improve.”