Port Moresby: There can be little doubt that 2016 has been one to remember for women’s football in DPR Korea.
With memories of the North Koreans’ triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016 still fresh in the memory, the country tasted yet more success on Saturday at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea.
Boasting the most prolific attack at the tournament thanks to their 21 goals, DPR Korea were truly in a class of their own - a world class pedigree that was there for all to see in their 3-1 final defeat of France.
Their success in Port Moresby was undoubtedly a combination of many things - superb development, an attack-minded approach and a remarkable mental resolve that saw the East Asians remain unbeaten throughout their run to the title.
That durability - that ability to withstand immense pressure - was never more in evidence than when Spain and USA took them to extra-time in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively, and also when France opened the scoring in the final.
DPR Korea are now proud two-time U-20 Women’s World Cup champions, having lifted their first title in 2006 thanks to a 5-0 win over China, a scoreline that remains the highest the competition has seen in the final.
The young Chollima ladies are the only team to have lifted the trophy aside from the USA and Germany. It is quite an achievement.
“It’s a feat that’s never been achieved before,” said a clearly delighted head coach Hwang Yong-bong after his side’s 3-1 defeat of France in the final.
But, arguably, what makes last weekend’s U-20 win all the sweeter is the back-to-back nature of North Korean women’s football successes this year.
Silver Ball award winner Kim So-hyang, who has eleven wins and eight goals in 16 appearances at FIFA competitions to her name, is just one key figure who fully appreciates the successful start to the year made by her U-17 compatriots in Jordan just a few weeks ago.
"I'm humbled to be part of such a successful year,” said Kim, who has never forgotten DPR Korea’s defeat to France in the final of the 2012 U-17 Women's World Cup in Azerbaijan and again two years later in the play-off for third place at the U-20 World Cup in Canada.
“DPR Korea won the U-17 Women's World Cup in Jordan a few weeks ago, and now we've been lucky enough to run out champions too here in Papua New Guinea.
“We'd never seen anything like this before; I'm really proud to give our people these joyous experiences.”
No other country has won back-to-back FIFA U-20 and U-17 Women’s World Cups since their inaugural editions in 2002 and 2008 respectively. In addition - and much to their credit - DPR Korea are also the most successful FIFA U-17 team with two titles.
Having seen DPR Korea wait a decade to repeat their success at the U-20 Women’s World Cup, there can now be little doubt that the rest of the world will be out to dislodge the champions come the next edition in France.
However, with the ongoing and exceptional development clearly evident throughout the DPR Korea teams, it may prove a difficult task for most - especially as coach Hwang has his sights already set on more silverware.
“I’m delighted with our victory, but we can’t stop here,” he said. “We have to keep on working to win more titles.”
It would appear DPR Korea’s dominance may be here to stay for some time yet.
Additional text: FIFA.com; Photos: FIFA/Getty Images
Source: the-afc.com