DPR Korea settled into the fast-paced rhythm and threatened to take the lead in the ninth minute after So Ryu Gyong’s shot from distance took a deflection off Yuka Mikiguchi but Japanese custodian Korin Sakata quickly repositioned to palm the ball away.

Sakata was forced into action again in the next few minutes, pulling off a superb stop to deny Ho Kyong from point blank range, then diving to her left to push away Choe Il Son’s shot.

Japan started to find their footing and carved out their first clear opportunity on 32 minutes, a quick interchange of play from the right saw the ball reach Hina Hirakawa in the centre of the box but her shot was blocked and went out for a corner kick.

With eight minutes left in the first half, Asako Furuta produced a cheeky attempt from the byline as she went straight for goal instead of a cross, however, Pak Ju Gyong had read her intentions and backpedalled to tip the ball over the bar.

A minute into the restart, the deadlock was broken. Ri Ye Gyong’s long clearance was chased down by Il Son with the forward then poking the ball to Jon who tapped home.

DPR Korea could have doubled their lead in the 57th minute when Jon rose highest to get her head to Ryu Gyong’s corner kick only for her header to bounce back off the crossbar.

Japan tried to force the equaliser late on with several substitutions but were unable to create any noteworthy attempt to trouble Ju Gyong as DPR Korea held on for the win.