Bangladesh’s women faced a brutal examination against three-time champions DPR Korea at Western Sydney Stadium on Friday morning, and the scoreline told the story. Peter Butler’s side held out for long spells but eventually lost 5-0 after trailing 2-0 at half-time in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Group B clash. Korea’s aggressive pressing, fluid movement and tactical discipline exposed Bangladesh throughout the match.
The Koreans arrived with a reputation as the defending U-17 and U-20 Asian champions. Their supporters call this squad a golden generation, and the opening exchanges explained why. They pressed high, moved the ball quickly and attacked every loose touch.
Butler set his team up in a defensive 5-4-1 shape. The system aimed to crowd the penalty area and frustrate Korea by denying space between the lines. In simple terms, Bangladesh built a wall in front of Mile Akter and asked Korea to find a way through it.
The pressure started immediately. Korea pushed Bangladesh deep and stretched the defence from flank to flank.
In the 8th minute, Korea created the first clear chance when an attacker broke through one-on-one. Mile Akter reacted quickly and produced a sharp save to keep the score level, although the effort briefly left her in pain.
Korea thought they had scored in the 14th minute. Kim Kyong Yong finished a slick passing move, but VAR spotted a handball by Myong Yu Jong earlier in the move and ruled the goal out.
The drama continued in the 28th minute. From a corner, Myong Yu Jong headed the ball towards goal and Han Jin Hong smashed the rebound into the net, but VAR intervened again and cancelled the goal after deciding the striker kicked the ball while Mile controlled it.
Another Korean effort disappeared in the 31st minute when the assistant referee raised the offside flag against Kim Kyong Yong. Korea dominated every phase but struggled to convert their chances.
Bangladesh survived again in the 38th minute when Kim Kyong Yong powered a header against the crossbar. The defence still held, but the warning signs kept flashing.
Butler reacted in the 45th minute with three substitutions. Swapna Rani, Anika Rania Siddiqui and Umehla Marma entered the pitch as the coach searched for stability in midfield.
The resistance finally cracked in stoppage time. In the 45+6 minute, Hong Song Ok burst into the penalty area and forced Bangladesh captain Afeida Khandaker into a desperate pull of the shirt.
The referee pointed straight to the spot. Myong Yu Jong stepped up and drilled the penalty into the bottom-right corner.
Korea struck again almost instantly. In the 45+7 minute, Chae Un Yong slipped a pass into the right side of the box and Kim Kyong Yong smashed a powerful finish past Mile Akter to double the lead before the break.
Bangladesh entered the second half chasing the game, but Korea never eased their grip.
In the 60th minute, Afeida produced a strong block to deny another effort from Kim Kyong Yong. The moment summed up Bangladesh’s defensive struggle.
The game turned again two minutes later. In the 62nd minute, Mile rushed off her line and failed to clear the danger. Hong Song Ok seized the opportunity and punished the mistake to score Korea’s third goal.
Korea added a fourth almost immediately. In the 64th minute, Kim Kyong Yong spotted Mile out of position and finished clinically to stretch the lead to 4-0.
Bangladesh continued to battle, and Mile produced another strong save in the 70th minute to deny Hong Song Ok from close range. The goalkeeper fought hard despite the growing scoreline.
Korea completed the rout in the 90th minute. Song Chun Sim delivered a precise cross from the left and Kim Hye Yong rose to power a header into the net, sealing a 5-0 victory.
Bangladesh spent most of the morning defending against a team that pressed relentlessly and attacked with speed and precision. Korea’s golden generation showed exactly why Asia fears them
