North Korea thrash Bangladesh 10-0 in Asian Games women’s football

What the report says

North Korea opened their Asian Games women’s football campaign with a one-sided 10-0 win over Bangladesh in Osaka, Japan, according to Al Jazeera’s report based on AFP. The North Koreans were already seven goals ahead by halftime and controlled the match throughout, with Ri Song-a among the scorers in the second half. The team was supported by several hundred red-clad, pro-Pyongyang fans who sang and chanted from the stands.

The result underlined North Korea’s status as one of the leading contenders for the gold medal in the tournament. Al Jazeera noted that the squad has had strong success at youth level internationally and arrived in Japan with expectations high. The report also said North Korea’s men’s and women’s football teams were greeted by supporters when they reached the games last week.

The broader context is North Korea’s return to major international sport after suspending participation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Al Jazeera said the country rejoined the Asian Games in 2023 and also appeared at the Paris Olympics. More than 100 North Korean athletes are due to compete in 14 sports at the games, which are taking place in Nagoya-Aichi and are scheduled to officially open on September 19.

North Korea’s women next face South Korea in a Group F match on September 21, adding a political edge to the football competition.