Defending champions China, North Korea reach Women’s Asian Cup quarter-finals

2026-03-06 - 13:53

SYDNEY, Australia – Defending champions China and North Korea strolled into the quarter-finals of the Women’s Asian Cup on Friday, grabbing their second ​straight wins in Group B as Uzbekistan and Bangladesh succumbed ‌to successive defeats. China, seeking a record-extending 10th title, beat Uzbekistan 3-0 with Li Qingtong netting a brace, after a dominant North Korea beat tournament debutants Bangladesh ​5-0 at the Western Sydney Stadium. China broke through against a stubborn ​Uzbekistan defence at the half-hour mark, when Shao Ziqin calmly ⁠slotted a penalty into the bottom left corner after she was ​brought down in the box. Uzbekistan keeper Maftuna Jonimqulova did well to save ​multiple close-range attempts from Shao and Zhang Linyan, but her luck ran out in the 51st minute when she collided with a teammate trying to intercept a ​cross, allowing Li to shoot into the empty net. Li completed her brace ​26 minutes later, heading into the net from Zhang Xin’s cross to seal a ‌comfortable ⁠win for China. Earlier, Bangladesh held off North Korea until late in the first half as the three-time champions had two goals disallowed, but the floodgates opened in stoppage time before the break, with Myong Yu-jong ​and Kim Kyong-yong scoring ​two minutes ⁠apart.