Women’s Asian Cup: China sweep aside Bangladesh in winning start to title defence
Wang Shuang and Zhang Rui strikes enough to see off tournament debutants. North Korea beat Uzbekistan in early game
China’s Wang Shuang and Zhang Rui struck late in the first half as the Women’s Asian Cup holders overcame debutants Bangladesh 2-0, while North Korea’s Myong Yu-jong struck a first-half hat-trick in the 3-0 defeat of Uzbekistan in Group B on Tuesday.
Wang’s header in the 24th minute was disallowed because of to an offside in the build-up but the forward, who bagged five goals in the 2022 edition, scored 20 minutes later with a right-foot shot that curled into the net near the far post.
Zhang doubled China’s lead two minutes later as her low shot from outside the box was deflected by a defender.
Bangladesh goalkeeper Mile Akter’s flying one-handed save had denied Zhang Chengxue in the 68th minute to keep Bangladesh in the game, but they were shut out by China, having only one shot from inside their opponents’ penalty area in the match.
Three-time champions North Korea, playing at the continental showpiece for the first time since losing to Australia in the 2010 final, dominated at Western Sydney Stadium with a mixture of neat passing and steely defence.
Midfielder Myong opened the scoring in the sixth minute and added two goals from the penalty spot before being taken off at half-time in one of six substitutions made by the North Koreans.