North Korea’s soccer team loses to nemesis Japan in U-20 Women’s Asian Cup final



News North Korea’s soccer team loses to nemesis Japan in U-20 Women’s Asian Cup final Despite dominating the regional competition, defending champion North Korea was unable to defeat a resolute Japan Shreyas Reddy April 20, 2026 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON North Korean soccer players (in red) vying for the ball with Japanese opponents at the U-20 Women's Asian Cup \| Image: AFC Asian Cup via YouTube (April 18, 2026) North Korea lost to rival Japan in the U-20 Women’s Asian Cup soccer tournament finals on Saturday, bringing an end to a string of triumphs at the youth level from the past two years. In a close encounter at Thailand’s Thammasat Stadium, Japan edged out the DPRK thanks to a second-half goal by midfielder Momoka Sano — the only goal North Korea conceded in the entire 18-day competition. North Korea was unable to find a way past a resolute Japanese side despite dominating ball possession and peppering their opponents’ goal with 17 shots. Japan’s victory on Saturday helped avenge its © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update & Podcast Updates Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

News

North Korea’s soccer team loses to nemesis Japan in U-20 Women’s Asian Cup final

Despite dominating the regional competition, defending champion North Korea was unable to defeat a resolute Japan

Shreyas Reddy April 20, 2026

North Korea’s soccer team loses to nemesis Japan in U-20 Women’s Asian Cup final

North Korean soccer players (in red) vying for the ball with Japanese opponents at the U-20 Women's Asian Cup | Image: AFC Asian Cup via YouTube (April 18, 2026)

North Korea lost to rival Japan in the U-20 Women’s Asian Cup soccer tournament finals on Saturday, bringing an end to a string of triumphs at the youth level from the past two years.

In a close encounter at Thailand’s Thammasat Stadium, Japan edged out the DPRK thanks to a second-half goal by midfielder Momoka Sano — the only goal North Korea conceded in the entire 18-day competition.

North Korea was unable to find a way past a resolute Japanese side despite dominating ball possession and peppering their opponents’ goal with 17 shots.

Japan’s victory on Saturday helped avenge its

North Korea’s soccer team loses to nemesis Japan in U-20 Women’s Asian Cup final

Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most –

as selected by

One more step!

Error!

Trending

Recent Stories

About the Author

Shreyas Reddy

Start your day with
the North Korea stories that matter most –