Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With 10 players aged 17 or younger, DPR Korea have selected one of the youngest squads at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, but recent form suggests the defending champions remain as powerful as ever.
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.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Back among the global youth elite after failing to qualify two years ago, China PR are a side with plenty of potential, but questions persist over their ability to compete with the strongest sides.
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.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Despite continued dominance of the AFC U-19 Women's Championship, Japan are yet to breakthrough for a maiden FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup title, but a new generation appear ready to take on the world in 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.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Rennes: 2016 winners DPR Korea will face the champions of both South America and CONCACAF, while Japan drew two-time winners USA, as the 16 finalists learned their opponents for the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in France.
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