N Korea win record third U20 Fifa Women's World Cup

North Korea has achieved a remarkable feat by winning the Under-20 Women's World Cup for the third time, a record that places them alongside football powerhouses Germany and the United States. The tournament took place in Colombia, where North Korea showcased their exceptional skills by winning every match they played. In the final, they faced Japan and secured a narrow 1-0 victory, thanks to a goal from 17-year-old Choe Il-son in the 15th minute. This victory not only highlights North Korea's dominance in women's football but also marks a significant moment in the tournament's history. The North Korean players celebrated their victory on the field, surrounded by gold-colored ticker tape, proudly displaying their medals. Captain Chae Un-yong expressed the emotions of her team, stating, 'It’s so hard to express ourselves right now - this has been a dream of so many of us for so long. ' She acknowledged the challenges of the final match and emphasized the importance of staying calm and adhering to their coach's tactical instructions. Throughout the tournament, North Korea demonstrated their strength by defeating formidable opponents such as Argentina, the Netherlands, and Brazil, ultimately reaching the semifinals. Their victory over the United States set the stage for an all-Asian final against Japan, who had previously finished as runners-up in the 2022 tournament. Choe's goal in the final was a slightly deflected left-footed strike that proved decisive in securing North Korea's historic win at the El Camin Stadium. In addition to being named the player of the match, Choe also received the Golden Boot for being the tournament's top scorer with six goals, as well as the Golden Ball, awarded to the best overall player of the World Cup. North Korea's Women's U20 team had previously won the World Cup in 2006 and 2016, making this victory even more significant. After the match, the players joyfully celebrated, waving their national flag in pride. This triumph is particularly noteworthy considering that North Korea had withdrawn from international sports competitions for several years due to the coronavirus pandemic. The team had not played a match since 2018, but they made a successful return to the international stage earlier this year by competing in the Asian Cup in Uzbekistan, where they also emerged victorious, defeating Japan 2-1. Coach Ri Song-ho expressed his pride in the team's accomplishments, stating, 'To firstly win the Asian Cup and now follow that with this success means that I’m so proud of the team. ' He highlighted their ability to build up attacks quickly, emphasizing the speed at which they move forward. Choe Il-son, wearing her country's red tracksuit, beamed with joy as she held the Golden Ball trophy, a symbol of her outstanding performance. Unlike their male counterparts, who are ranked 111th in the world, North Korea's women's team is a formidable force in international football. Currently ranked ninth in the FIFA world rankings, they surpass countries like France and Australia. To date, they have won three Asian Cups, three Asian Games, and three East Asian Championships. However, the majority of North Koreans rarely have the opportunity to watch their national teams play at home. The country's limited transportation connections with the outside world, coupled with poor diplomatic relations with many nations, mean that most of North Korea's 'home' matches are played at neutral venues, often in China or the Middle East.