Reigning champions China secured a crucial 2-1 victory over the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Monday, clinching first place in Group B of the AFC Women's Asian Cup. The hard-fought win sets up a quarterfinal clash with either Vietnam or Chinese Taipei as the team pursues its title defense.
Despite both teams having already qualified for the knockout stage, the match saw intense competition as China needed maximum points to overcome the DPRK's superior goal difference. The DPRK struck first in the 32nd minute through Kim Kyong-yong's clinical finish, but China responded immediately with Chen Qiaozhu's equalizer two minutes later from a corner scramble.
The decisive moment came in first-half stoppage time when Wang Shuang capitalized on a defensive error to give China the lead. A disciplined second-half performance ensured the victory, marking China's third consecutive group-stage win.
This result positions China to face either Vietnam or Chinese Taipei in Friday's quarterfinals, while the DPRK will meet host nation Australia in another high-stakes matchup. The tournament continues to showcase Asia's growing prominence in women's football, with record attendance numbers reported across venues.
