North-South clash set for U-20 Women's Asian Cup semis on Wednesday

The U-20 South Korean national team poses for a photo before a 2024 AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup group stage match against Chinese Taipei at Dustlik Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on March 6. [NEWS1]

North Korea and South Korea will clash in the semifinals of the 2024 AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup at Dustlik Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Wednesday.

South Korea joined the last four as Group A runners-up with two wins and one loss. The young Taeguk Ladies thrashed Chinese Taipei 6-0 and trounced hosts Uzbekistan 13-0, securing their spot in the semis despite losing 2-1 against group winners Australia.

South Korea's 13-0 victory over Uzbekistan remains the biggest win of the tournament, surpassing Japan's 10-0 win over Vietnam in Group B.

North Korea, on the other hand, reached the semifinals as Group B winners with two wins and one draw. They were also prolific in the group stage, recording eight goals.

The semifinal match between defending champions Japan and Australia will also take place on Wednesday. The final and the third-place match will then follow, on Saturday.

Regardless of where the semifinalists finish, all four teams have qualified for the upcoming U-20 World Cup in Colombia, which starts in August, according to Asian Cup rules.

Japan has the most U-20 Women's Asian Cup wins, at six, with South Korea coming in second, with two, winning in 2004 and 2013.

North Korea were crowned champions once, in 2007.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]