Sydney, March 3 – Myong Yu Jong scored a hat-trick in the first half as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) returned to the AFC Women's Asian Cup with a 3-0 victory over Uzbekistan in Sydney on Tuesday.
Considered a title contender, DPRK dominated its first match in the tournament since finishing as runners-up at the 2010 edition in China. Myong scored twice from the penalty spot as Uzbekistan made a difficult return after a 23-year absence.
DPRK started strongly when Myong fired a volley from the center of the box into the top left corner in the sixth minute, according to Xinhua.
The first half saw Uzbekistan's goalkeeper, Maftuna Jonimqulova, being carried off the field on a stretcher with a neck brace. Zarina Saidova, who replaced Jonimqulova, was immediately tested after Chae Un Yong was fouled in the penalty area. She managed to stop the shot but could not prevent Myong from scoring a penalty, which gave DPRK their second goal.
Uzbekistan conceded another penalty just before halftime when Madina Khikmatova was penalized for handball in the box.
Myong completed her hat-trick from the spot and was substituted shortly before halftime.
DPRK will play its next Group B match on Friday against Bangladesh, while Uzbekistan faces defending champion China.
Meanwhile, in another match in the same group, defending champion China began its 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bangladesh.
China's Steel Roses scored twice in the first half to take control of the match at Western Sydney Stadium after earlier attempts to break through a resolute Bangladesh defense were unsuccessful.
Wang Shuang was China's most threatening player throughout the first half and scored the opening goal in the 44th minute when she placed a long-range strike into the top left corner of the goal.
The advantage was doubled two minutes later when Zhang Rui's strike from the edge of the penalty area was deflected into the bottom left corner.
The Chinese women continued to create clear goal-scoring opportunities through the second half, but could not find a third goal, with Bangladesh goalkeeper Mile Akter making several critical saves.
Bangladesh, who are playing at the Women's Asian Cup for the first time, had their own best opportunity of the night in the 14th minute when Ritu Porna Chakma's long-range shot from the left wing forced Chinese goalkeeper Chen Chen to make a one-handed save while tracking back towards goal.
The win against Bangladesh maintains the Steel Roses' record of never losing their opening match at a Women's Asian Cup, and leaves China in second place in Group B behind DPR Korea, who beat Uzbekistan 3-0 earlier on Tuesday.
China will play their second group stage match against Uzbekistan at Western Sydney Stadium on Friday night, while Bangladesh will take on DPR Korea on Friday afternoon.