Women's Asian Cup 2026: The full-throttle, mysterious North Korean side looking to rain on the Matildas' parade

Sixteen years ago this May, the Matildas defeated North Korea on penalties to lift their first Asian Cup.

That victory, achieved on a muddy, pockmarked field in front of a few hundred spectators in central China, was a landmark moment for Australian football, and came as a mighty shock to the all-conquering North Koreans.

Since then, the two teams have experienced the most contrasting of fortunes, with the Matildas evolving into one of Australia's most significant sporting entities, while a string of misfortunes have combined to push the North Korean team to the periphery of international football.

On Friday, the two teams will meet for the first time since that 2010 final.

Playing its first major international tournament since 2011, North Korea has returned to the world stage with serious intent, looking like one of the best teams in Asia and courting considerable controversy along the way.

Here is what Australia can expect from a physical, well-drilled and youthful North Korean team in Friday night's blockbuster quarterfinal in Perth.

An impressive return to the international stage

The 2026 Women's Asian Cup is North Korea's first major international tournament since the 2011 World Cup, at which a doping controversy excluded it from the 2014 Asian Cup and 2015 World Cup.

The team then proceeded to miss qualification for tournaments in 2018 and 2019, before being excluded from international football during the COVID years.

But during those years in the wilderness, the nation's world-leading women's football set-up ensured it continued to enjoy jaw-dropping success at youth levels, with the U17 and U20 squads combining for three World Cups since 2024 alone.

So, the football world watched on with considerable interest as the senior team began its first major international tournament in 15 years against Uzbekistan last Tuesday.

It was a seriously impressive first 45 minutes back on the world stage.

Set up in a high pressing 4-4-2, the system of choice for many of Asian football's heavyweights, the North Koreans were aggressive and professional against world number 49 Uzbekistan, with midfielder Myong Yu Jong volleying home after five minutes before converting two penalties to complete her hat-trick by half-time.

The Eastern Azaleas were even better against Bangladesh, putting five past the tournament minnows to set up a blockbuster match day three clash with Group B's other heavyweight, China.

High expectations on a youthful side

This North Korean team is exceedingly youthful, with three of the first choice starting line-up having starred at the U20 World Cup in 2024, and only three squad members over the age of 26.

And Coach Ri Song Ho clearly has no doubts about his best XI.

While most of the tournament's other big dogs took the opportunity for significant squad rotation during the group stage (the Matildas made five changes for their second game and five more for their third), Ri selected the same team for all three of his team's Group B matches.

In press conferences, Ri has consistently bemoaned the gap in quality between his starting team and substitutes, despite boasting a bench containing one of the world's best young players, Choe Il Son (more on her later).

In two of his games, he has also made the strange decision to substitute seemingly uninjured players in the dying moments of first-half stoppage time.

That included the hat-trick scorer from the Uzbekistan game, Myong, who was yanked seconds before the half-time whistle and minutes after scoring her third goal.

However, she had also picked up a yellow card not long before the change — so the decision could be seen as something of a statement to his team about the importance of staying disciplined.

Full-throttle play and controversy

After two routine victories against Uzbekistan and Bangladesh, North Korea's first real test of the tournament came against fellow heavyweight China on Monday night.

In pouring rain at Western Sydney Stadium, the North Koreans were jumping and sliding into tackles from the outset and fortunate not to be down a player within five minutes, when Kim Song Gyong pushed her studs into the knee of a Chinese defender.

It was ferocious, full-throttle stuff from North Korea, with China squeezed for space and time in midfield and just about hanging on in the opening exchanges.

However, the enduring image of that game came in first half-stoppage time, with the North Korean players and coaching staff huddled on the sideline in the still teeming rain, in prolonged and animated discussion with the officiating team.

Sensationally, the North Koreans refused to play the remainder of the first half after an offside call went against them in the build-up to what would prove to be China's winning goal.

North Korea has something of a reputation for performing these kind of stunts, so we shouldn't rule out seeing something similar in Perth.

What can the Matildas do?

So, the Matildas will be in for a high-octane, physical battle on Friday night.

Australia's midfield three will be pressed and harried early, and will need to be at their best to avoid being over-run. Don't be surprised to see one of the Matildas' forward three drop back into midfield to begin the game.

But North Korea's high-press will also bring opportunity for Australia.

For the first time this tournament, the likes of Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr will have room to run in behind a defence. 

The potential starting return of Kyra Cooney-Cross would be a big plus, with her vision and long-range passing making the Matildas a far better team in transitional moments.

The Matildas will be wanting to keep a particularly close eye on golden-boot leader Myong, who for the most part conducts attacks from central midfield, but also is given the licence to find her way into the box. She will most likely be the responsibility of Alanna Kennedy or Clare Wheeler.

Kim Kyong Yong is the country's star striker and most likely goal threat, boasting a ludicrous 29 goals in her 21 international games.

And then there's Choe.

The top scorer and best player at the U20 World Cup in 2024, the attacking midfielder has made two appearances from the bench at this tournament, picking up an assist against Bangladesh and having what would have been an equalising goal chalked off for offside against China. 

But the Matildas will know if they can weather the initial North Korean storm on Friday night, they will have every chance of booking a semifinal berth.

Coach Ri is very likely to field the same starting line-up as he did in the first three games, meaning those 11 players have a lot more football in their legs than their Australian opponents, who made five changes for game two and five more in game three.

In the China game, it was clear that North Korea was a different side after half-time — its energy levels lower and press less disciplined.

After surrendering a 2-1 half-time lead in their 3-3 draw with South Korea, Matildas coach Joe Montemurro said his side needed to be better at managing games.

In what is bound to be a helter-skelter and potentially controversy-laden game of football, his side will need to show composure, street smarts and courage if it is to continue its Asian Cup journey.