The reigning AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ champions were in unstoppable form at the windswept Pascual Guerrero Stadium in Cali as they raced to a 3-1 lead in the first half.
Two-time FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup winners DPR Korea took the lead in the sixth minute, Pak Mir Yong capitalising on a spilled cross to tap in from close range.
Jon Ryong Jong made it 2-0 four minutes later and DPR Korea’s grip on the game was further reinforced by Paulina Aprile’s own goal in the second minute of added time.
A stunning strike from Kishi Nunez gave Argentina hope going into the break but Hyang Sin restored their three-goal lead two minutes into the restart.
A tidy, close-range finish from Choe Il Son with a quarter of an hour to play made it 5-1, with Nunez reducing the deficit in the 82nd minute with another fine effort.
DPR Korea, however, had the final say as Choe Kang Ryon’s long range effort was deflected into the net in the dying seconds.
The other match in the group saw the Netherlands defeating Costa Rica 2-0.
Up next for DPR Korea are Costa Rica on Thursday, where a win will almost surely confirm their Round of 16 spot.
