Uzbekistan relishing DPR Korea challenge 

The Central Asians performed admirably in their openingday 2-0 loss to China PR, but Norsafarov said there is more to come from his team, and they are ready for the challenge ahead.

“After analysing our first game, we noticed we didn’t play as well as we had been preparing, because some players didn’t show 100 per cent of their ability,” he said.

“For the game against DPR Korea, our players will be given functions to play, so we will see what they can do. They are motivated to play against the best in the world.”

Norsafrov – who identified Sung Hyang-sim, Ri Hae-yon and Kim Un-ju as DPR Korea’s key players after their 9-0 rout of Thailand – said his team were familiar with their opponents as individuals from their previous meetings.

“We’ve played against these players before at U-16 level and we know these players personally. This is not the first time,” the coach explained.

Four of his players – Nozima Kamoltoeva, Umida Zoirova, Malika Burkhonova and Maftuna Shoyimova – also played against the DPR Korea senior national team in a Women’s Asian Cup qualifier in Pyongyang in April.