They refused to play for several minutes in their 2-1 loss against China
\n PERTH
\nNorth Korea pledged Thursday there will be no more sideline protests during their Women\u2019s Asian Cup quarter-final with Australia after causing a stir against China.
\nAn incensed North Korea refused to play for several minutes in their 2-1 loss to the Chinese during a group game on Monday.
\nThey were left fuming when former Tottenham attacker Wang Shuang scored in first-half stoppage time, demanding the referee look at the pitchside monitor.
\nThe three-time champions refused to resume the game for four minutes as boos rang out.
\n\u201cIf that kind of situation happens again in tomorrow\u2019s match, we will follow the referees, the match official\u2019s decision, and respect it,\u201d coach Ri Song Ho told reporters in Perth through an interpreter.
\nRi was yellow-carded for his part in the fracas. North Korea are set to face a partisan full house at Perth Rectangular Stadium on Friday against the hosts, who beat them on penalties in the 2010 final after it ended 1-1.
\nAustralia\u2019s Sam Kerr is the only player left from the match, with North Korea now boasting a young and physical side.
\nThey are looking to build on defending their Women\u2019s U17 World Cup title in Morocco last year, which came on the heels of winning the U20 World Cup in Colombia in 2024.
\nTalented striker Choe Il Son played in both those triumphs before transitioning to the full national side.
\n\u201cWe know Australia are a formidable team, so tomorrow we will give our best to support each other and perform at our highest level,\u201d she said.
\n\u201cWe have talent on our side and we\u2019ve been preparing carefully for the match. We\u2019re excited to show what our team can do on the pitch.\u201d
\nNot only is a semi-final berth at stake, but also 2027 World Cup qualification with the top six finishers booking their tickets to the Brazil showpiece.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
They refused to play for several minutes in their 2-1 loss against China PERTH North Korea pledged Thursday there will be no more sideline protests during their Women\u2019s Asian Cup quarter-final with Australia after causing a stir against China. An incensed North Korea refused to play for several minutes in their 2-1 loss to the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-536279","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n