North Korea U20 3-0 Australia U20
by Alyce Collett (12/4/26)
Above: North Korea did plenty of celebrating in tonight’s win over Australia, showing why they are the reigning tournament champions. Photo: via AFC.
Reigning Under 20 Women’s Asian Cup champions North Korea are through to the semi finals of the 2026 tournament after defeating Australia 3-0 tonight.
The North Koreans controlled proceedings for much of the match and found reward on the scoreboard through Pak Ok-I and Ro Un-Hyang as well as through a very unfortunate own goal from Young Matilda Rubi Sullivan. The Australians did play better than they had last time out against Japan, but had limited chances to attack and could not convert any of the chances they had.
North Korea did not take long to show its class, scoring after only three minutes.
Pak Ok-Iwas alone out the back of the box, and after the ball was perfectly crossed to her she was able to strike truly and give her side a very early lead.
The North Koreans dominated possession for much of the first half – ultimately having 68.5% of possession in the first half – leaving the Young Matildas to do a lot of chasing and not much dictating of the play.
The Australians did manage to get the ball into their attacking final third on a few occasions, but in the desperation to clear the congestion of North Korea’s midfield and attackers, Australia’s long balls were too long again and again, which were picked off by the North Korean defenders with relative ease.
Things got even harder for Australia about halfway through the first half when Danella Butrus went down in a collision and had to be substituted off.
Despite the immense defensive pressure and at times questionable tactics from their opponents, the Australians continued to play confidently and continued to fight hard.
Despite the continuous long, booting passes with a focus on distance over accuracy, Australia was a lot more defensively sure for most of the first half than it had been against Japan. It appeared that the Young Matildas had seemingly learnt the necessary lessons from both that game and the early goal in this one.
Australia had its first really dangerous opportunity about half an hour in when Tianna Fuller – who had come on for Butrus – fed the ball through near perfectly to Tahlia Younis, who unfortunately just could not quite squeeze around the North Korean defender and take a hold of the ball and shoot.
It was an at times chaotic first half, but in the end the half time scoreline was only 1-0 and things were starting to build positively for the Young Matildas.
The second half started in much the same way much of the first half played out, with Australia having to do a lot of defensive work.
The Australians did have another really strong chance to score early in the second half after an errant back pass from the North Koreans, but the Australian attackers unable to capitalise on the prime opportunity.
As the half progressed the energy and tension started to rise, with frustrations starting to boil at times from both sides.
As positive as Australia’s progression had been as the game progressed, disaster struck with about 15 minutes to go when a North Korean shot on goal deflected off the hip of Sullivan and into the back of the net.
There was more heart ache for the Australians within the final moments of regular time when Ro Un-Hyang caught Illona Melegh well out of her box and was able to stroll the ball into an open net and score easily.
This was the icing on the cake for the North Koreans in what was a valiant but at times a frustrating day at the office for the Young Matildas.
Teams: NORTH KOREA U20’s (4-4-2): Pak Ju-Gyong, Jong Pok-Yong, Ri Ye-Gyong, Pak Ok-I, Choe Yon-A, Choe Rim-Jong, Kang Ryu-Mi, Ho Kyong, Pak Il-Sim, Ri Kuk-Hyang, Ro Un-Hyang. Substitutes: Kim Ju-Hyang, Jon Il-Chong, So Ryu-Gyong, Ri Su-Jong, Choe Chong-Gum, Yom Chol-Nim, Choe Kyong-Mi, An Kyong-Yong, Ri Ok, Ri Pom.
Scorers: Pak Ok-I 3′, Sullivan 74’ [OG]
AUSTRALIA U20’s (4-4-2): Melegh, Bennett, Bertolissio, Halmarick, McMahon, Kruger, Apostolakis, Prakash, Younis, Butrus, Sullivan. Substitutes: Cassar, Dundas, O’Keeffe, Trimis, Fuller, Brown, Collins, Breier, Black, Henniker, Ritchie, Dale.
Referee: Gulshoda Saidqulova [Uzbekistan].
Attendance: TBC.
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