Asian football chief hails North Korea ‘pipeline of future stars’ after another women’s world title
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North Korean players celebrating after beating Spain in the penalty shoot-out to win the Fifa U-17 women’s football World Cup at the Olimpico Felix Sanchez Stadium in Santo Domingi on Nov 3, 2024.
PHOTO: AFP
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KUALA LUMPUR – North Korea boasts a “dynamic pipeline of future stars”, Asia’s football chief said on Nov 4, after they won a second age-group Women’s World Cup in a matter of weeks.
They beat Spain on penalties on Nov 3 in the Dominican Republic to clinch a record third Women’s World Cup at under-17 level, adding it to their title in the under-20 version in September, when they won that trophy for the third time.
Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa hailed “the tireless efforts of everyone working behind the scenes”.
“The dedication of the DPR Korea Football Association to establish a consistent and dynamic pipeline of future stars must be applauded,” he said in a statement, using the reclusive Communist country’s official name.
He added: “I am confident that DPR Korea’s (North Korea) shining example will serve as an inspiration for others to emulate.”
North Korea scored 14 goals and conceded just two to seal the title in the Caribbean.
They also beat the United States in the semi-finals.
“They’re a very intense team,” Spain midfielder Irune Dorado told the official FIFA website.
“They don’t let you breathe.”
It was the second time North Korea have won the under-17 and under-20 world titles in the same year, having also achieved the double in 2016. But at senior level, they have reached the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals only once, in 2007. AFP
