Korea DPR 1-2 China (Mar 9, 2026) Game Analysis – ESPN Skip to main content Skip to navigation ESPN NFL NFL NBA NBA NCAAM NCAAM NCAAW NCAAW MLB MLB NHL NHL Soccer Soccer More Sports More Sports Watch Watch Fantasy Fantasy Where to Watch Search Korea DPR v China 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup, Group Stage North Korea Korea DPR PRK 2-0-1 , 6 PTS 1 2-0-1 , 6 PTS FT China China CHN 3-0-0 , 9 PTS 2 3-0-0 , 9 PTS Kim Kyong-Yong – 32' Chen Qiaozhu – 34' Wang Shuang – 45'+4' Summary Report Commentary Statistics Line-Ups Matildas to face North Korea in Women's Asian Cup quarters as China finish top By AAP Updated: Mar 9, 2027, 07:41 am Facebook Facebook Messenger Twitter Email North Korea's 2-1 loss to China means they will now face hosts Australia in the quarterfinals of the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup as they had to settle for a second-place finish in Group B. Matt King/Getty Images The Matildas will have to beat North Korea if they are to continue their quest for Women’s Asian Cup glory, after the North Koreans lost to China 2-1 . Australia’s bid to win the competition for the first time in 16 years took a hit on Sunday night after they drew to South Korea 3-3 to finish second in their group. The result meant the host nation would face the loser of the North Korea-China showdown in the quarter finals after both Asian superpowers punched their tickets to the playoffs before the clash. It was a late first-half goal to China’s Wang Shuang that proved the difference on Monday night in Sydney, but the goal was met with much controversy. On the stroke of halftime, a lofted free kick found defender Zhang Chengxue and she squared it to Wang, who poked it past North Korea goalkeeper Yu Son-Gum . The strike was initially called offside by the assistant referee, but VAR reversed the decision and the North Koreans were left fuming, refusing to finish playing out the half. They did return for the second period and tried desperately to find an equaliser, but the Chinese held strong to see out the victory. The result means the North Koreans finish as Group B’s runners-up, setting up a date with the tournament hosts on Friday in Perth, where the winner will earn a semi-final berth and a spot in next year’s Women’s World Cup. China, coached by former Socceroos striker Ante Milicic, will dodge the Matildas and instead face a less steep task of the runner-up of Group C — either Chinese Taipei or Vietnam . After a tense and frantic opening half hour, North Korea were the first to score when Han Jin-Hong stormed down the right side and squared the ball to Kim Kyong-Yong , who guided it into the net in the 32nd minute. China looked to respond immediately, and just two minutes later forward Shao Ziqin teed up fullback Chen Qiaozhu , who fired the ball from outside the box into the bottom right corner. After Wang’s first-half injury time goal, it was up to the Koreans to equalise. They thought they had in the 80th minute when go-to scorer Choe Il-Son found the back of the net, but the goal was ruled offside. Game Information CommBank Stadium 5:00 AM , March 9, 2026 Sydney , Australia Referees : Le Thi Ly AFC Women's Asian Cup Standings Team GP W D L GD P China 3 3 0 0 +6 9 North Korea 3 2 0 1 +7 6 Uzbekistan 3 1 0 2 -2 3 Bangladesh 3 0 0 3 -11 0 Full Table AFC Women's Asian Cup News Explained: How India can make it to AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 quarterfinals India have to play their best game of the tournament against Chinese Taipei on Tuesday. North Korean test now lies ahead for Matildas as China go some way in answering their doubters As China showed why they are the defending champions at the Women's Asian Cup, North Korea will now set their sights on the Matildas. Matildas to face North Korea in Women's Asian Cup quarters as China finish top The Matildas will face North Korea in the Women's Asian Cup quarters after the latter's loss to China on Monday. All AFC Women's Asian Cup News Terms of Use Privacy Policy Interest-Based Ads EU Privacy Rights Cookie Policy Manage Privacy Preferences © ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
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