North Korea scores big win over South Korea in Asian Games football

North Korea’s players celebrate a goal in the women’s football quarter-final match between South Korea and North Korea during the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games in Wenzhou, China’s eastern Zhejiang province on September 30, 2023. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP)

HANGZHOU, China–North Korea struck three late goals to secure a 4-1 win over neighbor South Korea on Saturday and progress to the semifinals of the Asian Games women’s football.

An Myong Son, Ri Hak and Kim Kyong Yong scored inside the final 10 minutes to break the deadlock against the South Koreans, who played the final 50 minutes with 10 players after Son Hwa-yeon was sent off for a second bookable offense.

An’s own goal had put the South Koreans, one of Asia’s six nations at the recent Women’s World Cup, in front after 11 minutes but North Korea leveled nine minutes later when Ri bent her free kick into the top corner.

READ: Divided again, South Korea beats North Korea in Asian Games basketball

A clash with goalkeeper Kim Un Hui earned Son a second booking in the 41st minute and, after dominating throughout the second half, An stabbed in from close range in the 81st minute to put North Korea in front.

Ri beat South Korean keeper Kim Jung-mi from distance nine minutes later and Kim Kyong Yong hit a late penalty to complete the win.

The Asian Games are North Korea’s first taste of international football since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Once ranked fifth in the world and a three-time winner of the Women’s Asian Cup between 2001 and 2008, North Korea does not feature on the current FIFA rankings.