A frustrated North Korea refused to play for several minutes in a 2-1 Women’s Asian Cup loss to China on Monday that sent them into a thrilling quarter-final against hosts Australia.
Wang Shuang’s sensational strike in first-half injury time in wet Sydney proved to be the winner and meant defending champions China topped Group B ahead of North Korea.
China’s prize is the possibility of meeting Vietnam or Chinese Taipei in the last eight, while North Korea will have to face the hosts and their home crowd.
Former three-time champions North Korea took the lead in the 32nd minute after Kim Kyong Yong’s shot deflected off goalkeeper Chen Chen.
China hit back two minutes later when Chen Qiaozhu fired a left-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom corner.
With rain pouring down and neither side giving an inch in the physical battle, China went ahead through former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham striker Wang in the dying minutes.
