It was the East Asian side’s third title, having also lifted the trophy in 2006 and 2016 while Japan, winners in 2018, settled for the runners-up spot for the second successive edition.
Having defeated Japan to lift the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 title, DPR Korea started as slight favourites at the Estadio El Campin although both teams had impressed on their way to making the final.
Ri Song Ho’s side were on top from the early exchanges and never let up, Japan suffocated by their relentless pressure and dizzying movement off the ball, surgical counters and clinical finishing.
At the heart of much of the Korean’s best work, once again, was Choe. The 17-year-old – who won the Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards, forced a smart save from Akane Okuma in just the fifth minute before handing her nation the lead on the quarter-hour mark with a solo goal of the highest order.
Picking up the ball on Japan’s left, she eased past a baffled Rio Sasaki, surged into the box, twisted Aemu Oyama inside-out and sent home a shot that arrowed between a trio of Japanese defenders, brushed off the head of Uno Shiragaki and flew into the goal.
The Young Nadeshiko struggled to find a way to play through the Korean press and were often left to resort to hopeful, long-range efforts with one of those, from Manaka Matsukubo sailing harmlessly over the bar as the first half came to a close.
DPR Korea continued to set the tempo after the re-start, both Sin Hyang and Choe sending efforts over the bar before Japan, in the 82nd minute, finally had their first shot on target.
Shinomi Koyama’s strike though was a tame one, easily dealt with by Chae Un Gyong as the match wore down to an outcome it always seemed destined for; DPR Korea, the dominant nation at Colombia 2024, now three-time champions alongside Germany and the United States.
