Dominant North Korea among favourites to win Women’s Asian Cup despite Covid break

North Korea’s women didn’t play international football for four years because of Covid but they are among the favourites to win the Asian Cup after enjoying significant age-group success.

The youth team lifted the Women’s U-17 World Cup in the Dominican Republic in 2024 and then defended their title in Morocco in November last year.

They also won the Women’s U-20 World Cup in Colombia in September 2024, giving them a remarkable three world titles in little more than a year.

Now their senior team are preparing for the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, which kicks off on Sunday.

They have been drawn in a first-round group with Uzbekistan, China and Bangladesh, and are seen as one of the favourites for the title along with the host country and Japan.

“I think it’s a different kind of football than many other Asian teams, they are very physical, they can run and run and run and they have good quality players,” Nils Nielsen, Japan’s head coach, said.

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