North Korea’s women’s national team fell 1-2 to China in its final group match at the 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup, advancing to the quarterfinals as Group B’s runner-up.
The 9th-ranked North Korea suffered a come-from-behind loss to 17th-ranked China on Monday at Western Sydney Stadium in Sydney, Australia.
North Korea, which had won its first two matches, finished the group stage at 2-1 (6 points), behind China (9 points). The result leaves North Korea to face host Australia (15th-ranked), who finished second in Group A behind South Korea, for a place in the semifinals.
The tournament features 12 teams split into three groups of four. The top two teams from each group, plus the two best third-place teams, advance to the quarterfinals.
This edition also serves as qualification for the 2027 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Women’s World Cup. The four semifinalists qualify directly, and two additional berths go to the playoff winners among the quarterfinal losers.
Both teams entered the match with two wins apiece, and North Korea struck first.
In the 32nd minute, Han Jin-hong raced down the right flank and delivered a pass that Kim Gyeong-yeong met with a right-footed finish.
That lead lasted only two minutes. China equalized from a corner when Chen Chaozhu found the back of the net.
In first-half stoppage time, Wang Shuang converted a pass from Zhang Chengxue to give China the lead. The assistant referee raised an offside flag, but after a video assistant referee (VAR) review the goal stood — a decision that sparked furious protest from North Korea’s bench.
Coach Ri Seong-ho angrily contested the call, and North Korean players refused to restart play for roughly four minutes in a visible show of dissent.
The second half saw no further scoring, and China held on for the 2-1 victory.
South Korea, meanwhile, finished the group stage with two wins and a draw to edge out Australia and secure a quarterfinal spot. On March 14, South Korea will face either Uzbekistan (third in Group B) or the third-place team from Group C for a place in the semifinals.
