North Korea win 10-0 in Asian Games football mismatch / Photo: JIJI PRESS - JIJI Press/AFP
North Korea win 10-0 in Asian Games football mismatch
North Korea's formidable women's football team launched their Asian Games with a 10-0 hammering of Bangladesh on Monday, cheered on by several hundred pro-Pyongyang fans in Osaka.
The North Koreans have enjoyed stunning international success at youth level and start among the favourites for gold in Japan.
They were far too hot for Bangladesh to handle and were seven goals ahead by half-time.
Striker Ri Song A, who was born and raised in Japan, was in North Korea's starting line-up and scored in the second half.
"We have an eye on reaching the Asian summit and also next year's World Cup, and I hope I can contribute to the team as much as possible in the limited time available," Ri said.
North Korea were cheered on by a large group of red-clad fans, who sang and chanted throughout the match.
The men's and women's football teams were welcomed by supporters waving flags as they arrived for the Games last week wearing white blazers and pink ties.
More than 100 North Koreans are set to compete in 14 sports at the Games, which take place in Nagoya-Aichi and officially open on Saturday.
"I grew up watching players from my homeland competing in Japan when I was still a student," Ri said.
"So standing in that position myself and being able to give dreams and hope to children is the ultimate privilege as a football player."
Nuclear-armed North Korea suspended participation in international sporting competitions during the Covid-19 pandemic but returned at the 2023 Asian Games in China and also took part in the Paris Olympics.
North Korea's women face South Korea in a Group F grudge match on September 21.
The men's team begin their campaign against China on Wednesday.
(P.Kruger--TPT)
