The AFC President said: “Asia is a global force in women’s football and the world still remembers fondly the outstanding performances of our age-groups teams two years ago, when our Continent – through DPR Korea – clinched both the U-17 and U-20 world cup titles.”

“The remarkable achievements and consistency of our women’s teams are a tribute to the dedication of our Member Associations and further underlines our ambitions with the AFC’s Vision and Mission.

"On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to wish our three representatives, China PR, DPR Korea and Japan, the very best of campaigns and I am confident that they will continue to fly Asia’s flag high on the world stage.”

Dominant wins over Thailand (7-0) and China PR (5-0), either side of a 1-1 draw with Group B rivals Mexico, helped Hwang Yong-bong's side win a recent warm-up tournament in Duyun and issue a none-too-subtle reminder of their quality.

DPR Korea firmly established their status as the superpower of women's youth football in 2016, winning FIFA World Cups at both U-17 and U-20 levels with a series of devastating displays in Jordan and Papua New Guinea.

The East Asians were among the pacesetters in the early history of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, reaching the final in 2004 and 2006, but not since the heroics of Ma Xiaoxu have they advanced beyond the group stage of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Finals.

Drawn alongside three-time champions Germany, two-time runners-up Nigeria and tournament newcomers Haiti, the class of 2018 will know they must improve on the erratic results they achieved on the road to France.

Having previously won World Cups at senior and U-17 level, in 2011 and 2014 respectively, the East Asians have the opportunity to complete the set of women's world titles in France, and hopes are high after exceptional performances in qualifying.

Futoshi Ikeda's side's technical mastery and seemingly limitless squad depth proved too much for their continental rivals as they won a record fifth AFC U-19 Women's Championship in Nanjing last October.

The teenager is set to fill the shoes of 2017 AFC Women's Player of the Year Nominee Sung Hyang-sim, who provided six goals in qualifying for the U-20 Women's World Cup but is now expected to be a key part of the senior national team's Asian Games campaign, also in August.

A dominant MVP Award winner at last year's AFC U-16 Women's Championship in Thailand with nine goals in five matches, Kyong-yong has been drafted into the U-20 setup, and starred in DPR Korea's successful warm up tournament in the Chinese city of Duyun last month.

The 47-year-old former Urawa Red Diamonds coach took charge of the Young Nadeshiko in 2017 and led his side to a 1-0 victory over world U-20 title holders DPR Korea, to claim Japan’s fifth AFC U-19 Women’s Championship title last year.

Japan are grouped with United States, Paraguay and Spain in Group C, and will begin their campaign against the Americans on August 6.

While Ikeda admitted Japan are in a tough group, he is confident of his team meeting their target of making the final in France.

The Japanese players, said Ikeda, are determined to make the grade for the senior team and will use the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup as a stepping stone to prove their capabilities.

“Experiencing the game at the world stage will help the players development.

“I hope that throughout the tournament the squad and the players, individually, become stronger technically and mentally.”

The top three teams at the 2017 AFC U-19 Women’s Championship – DPR Korea, Japan and China PR – were each drawn alongside a challenging set of opponents at the ceremony, with the August tournament promising several exciting fixtures.

Reigning U-20 world champions DPR Korea will begin their campaign against England, before facing Brazil and Mexico, who both won their respective confederations’ qualifying tournaments.

AFC U-19 Women’s champions Japan drew 2008 and 2012 winners the United States as well as Spain and Paraguay, while China PR will meet three-time winners Germany, 2014 finalists Nigeria and first-time qualifiers Haiti in Group D.

Asian teams have enjoyed a rich history at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. DPR Korea won the title in Papua New Guinea in 2016, a decade after lifting the trophy in Russia in 2006, and at least one Asian team has reached the final four in the last seven editions of the global championship.

The tournament will begin with host nation France to meet Ghana in Vannes on August 5 with the final to be held in the same city 19 days later.

FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup – Draw Results

GROUP A: France, Ghana, New Zealand, Netherlands
GROUP B: DPR Korea, England, Mexico, Brazil
GROUP C: USA, Japan, Paraguay, Spain
GROUP D: Haiti, China, Nigeria, Germany

Photo: FIFA