Defending champions China and North Korea strolled into the quarter-finals of the Women’s Asian Cup on Friday, grabbing their second straight wins in Group B as Uzbekistan and Bangladesh succumbed to successive defeats.
China, seeking a record-extending 10th title, beat Uzbekistan 3-0 with Li Qingtong netting a brace, after a dominant North Korea beat tournament debutants Bangladesh 5-0 at the Western Sydney Stadium. The North Koreans have scored eight goals in two matches without allowing any.
China broke through against a stubborn Uzbekistan defence at the half-hour mark, when Shao Ziqin calmly slotted a penalty into the bottom left corner after she was brought down in the box.
Uzbekistan keeper Maftuna Jonimqulova did well to save multiple close-range attempts from Shao and Zhang Linyan, but her luck ran out in the 51st minute when she collided with a teammate trying to intercept a cross, allowing Li to shoot into the empty net.
Li completed her brace 26 minutes later, heading into the net from Zhang Xin’s cross to seal a comfortable win for China.
Shao Ziqin (second from right) scores with a penalty for China’s first goal in their 3-0 win. Photo: AFP
Earlier, Bangladesh held off North Korea until late in the first half as the three-time champions had two goals disallowed, but the floodgates opened in stoppage time before the break, with Myong Yu-jong and Kim Kyong-yong scoring two minutes apart.