SYDNEY: Defending champions China and North Korea strolled into the quarterfinals of the Women's Asian Cup on Friday, grabbing their second straight wins in Group B as Uzbekistan and Bangladesh succumbed to successive defeats.
China, seeking a record-extending 10th title, beat Uzbekistan 3-0 with Li Qingtong netting a brace, after a dominant North Korea beat tournament debutants Bangladesh 5-0 at the Western Sydney Stadium.
China broke through against a stubborn Uzbekistan defence at the half-hour mark, when Shao Ziqin calmly slotted a penalty into the bottom left corner after she was brought down in the box.
Uzbekistan keeper Maftuna Jonimqulova did well to save multiple close-range attempts from Shao and Zhang Linyan, but her luck ran out in the 51st minute when she collided with a teammate trying to intercept a cross, allowing Li to shoot into the empty net.
Li completed her brace 26 minutes later, heading into the net from Zhang Xin's cross to seal a comfortable win for China.
Earlier, Bangladesh held off North Korea until late in the first half as the three-time champions had two goals disallowed, but the floodgates opened in stoppage time before the break, with Myong Yu-jong and Kim Kyong-yong scoring two minutes apart.
Chae Un-yong scored the third goal in the 62nd minute, and two minutes later, Kyong-yong added another to continue the onslaught. A 90th-minute strike from Kim Hye-yong capped the win, as Bangladesh had no shot on North Korea's goal in the whole game.
Uzbekistan face Bangladesh on Monday aiming to reach the quarterfinals as one of the best-performing third-placed teams, while North Korea play China in a simultaneous clash in Sydney in a battle to top the group. — Reuters
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