North Korea will play Australia in the quarterfinals of the Women’s Asian Cup and has vowed not to repeat its protests against China.
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Published March 12, 2026
North Korea has promised no further protests at Friday’s 2026 Women’s Asian Cup quarter-final match against Australia following its controversial stand against China.
An enraged North Korea refused to play for several minutes during Monday’s 2-1 loss to China in group play.
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The team was furious when former Tottenham attacker Wang Shuang scored in first-half stoppage time and demanded the referee look at the pitchside monitor.
The three-time champion refused to restart the match for four minutes amid boos.
“If such a situation occurs again in (Friday’s) game, we will abide by and respect the decision of the referee and match official,” coach Lee Seong-ho told reporters in Perth on Thursday through an interpreter.
Mr Li received a yellow card for his involvement in the disturbance.
North Korea will face the hosts, whom they defeated on penalties after finishing 1-1 in the 2010 final, to a packed house at Perth Rectangular Stadium.
Only Australia’s Sam Kerr remained from this match, and North Korea boasted of its youth and physicality.
They hope to build on their title defense at last year’s Women’s U17 World Cup in Morocco, following on from their victory at the U20 World Cup in Colombia in 2024.
Talented striker Choi Il Sung played in both of these victories before transitioning to the full national team.
“We know Australia are a formidable team, so tomorrow we will do everything we can to support each other and perform at the highest level,” she said.
“We have a talented group of players and have prepared carefully for the game. We are excited to show what our team is capable of on the pitch.”
Not only a place in the semi-finals, but also a spot in the 2027 World Cup is at stake, with the top six players securing a ticket to the Brazil tournament.
