DPR Korea and Japan will contest one of two Paris 2024 Asian Qualifiers this week in a two-legged qualification clash to be played on 24 and 28 February respectively.
The last time the sides met was at the 2022 Asian Games final in Hangzhou, China which Japan won 4-1, and both sides are now eager to punch a ticket to France and test their mettle against the world’s best.
The first leg has been allotted as a DPRK home game before the sides face-off again four days later at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo. There are no away goals and should the aggregate scores be level then extra-time and penalties will ensue.
Elsewhere, Australia face Uzbekistan in the other qualifier in Tashkent and Melbourne. Both qualifying bouts are played on the same dates and under the same format.
With the AFC deeming it unfeasible to play the DPRK ‘home’ leg in Pyongyang, the controversial decision was taken to shift the fixture to the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Such adverse travel requirements will likely necessitate significant squad rotation across both legs.
Japan
The Futoshi Ikeda era is in full-swing with results so far indicating that the former Urawa Reds man has the Nadeshiko back on track. Although a quarter-final finish at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup came as a disappointment for many, there have been clear step-by-step improvements from tournament to tournament since Ikeda took the helm following Japan’s lacklustre performance at the last Olympic Games on home soil.
Their side is decorated with high quality creative talent, many of whom play their football in the elite leagues of women’s football. In theory they should have too much for the DPRK to deal with but given the circumstances this fixture is far from a routine outing.
The Nadeshiko may drift from their typical front-footed approach and fall back into a more conservative game plan, particularly for the game played in Jeddah.
We can look to the tactic used by Ikeda for Japan’s impressive 4-0 group stage triumph over eventual champions Spain at the last Women’s World Cup as a blueprint. In essence a back-three would become a back-five in an attempt to lock the opponent out of the danger area. Numbers would spring forward in transition and high-chance counter opportunities should present themselves.
Strikers Riko Ueki (West Ham) and Mina Tanaka (INAC Kobe) are likely to alternate as the No.9 with playmaker Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City) operating with efficiency in midfield. Skipper Saki Kumagai (AS Roma) will be the commanding presence at the heart of defence, a big ask considering the 19,400km trip she has endured in travelling from Rome to Jeddah, via Tokyo.
Should the Nadeshiko overcome this hurdle then a podium finish at Paris 2024 must be the objective. With just three UEFA representatives, plus the USA, little should stand in their way if Japan’s progression to the semi-finals.
DPR Korea
The enigma wrapped in a riddle that is the DPRK ladies are back on the global stage of women’s football after a lengthy spell of inactivity that spanned the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their second place finish at the last edition of the Asian Games suggests they return with a purpose, and qualification to a first Olympics since London 2012 provides further opportunity for them to test their mettle on the world stage.
Their recent form has been solid. Of the 12 games played since their return they have won ten, drawn one and lost one. There seems to be a reforging of the regionally dominant DPR Korea of yesteryear and their trajectory is evidently heading in the right direction. A full-strength Nadeshiko side is undoubtedly their toughest test yet and they must be at their best, and then some, if they are to secure passage to Paris.
Asian Games 2022 golden boot winner, Kim Kyong-Yong, is likely to spearhead the DPRK attack. The onus is on Japan to silence the 22-year-old and nullify the service to her. She is one of several players registered for this fixture who were involved in North Korea’s triumph at the 2017 edition of the U17 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Watching them play is a joy to behold. Like Japan, they adopt a free-flowing style, with rapid passing combinations their preferred route to goal. Seemingly they place emphasis on strength training and they may well hold a physical advantage over Japan. Goals have been in no short supply since their return and they will likely create plenty of chances here.
A common detraction of DPR Korea is their lack of notable success at international competitions outside of East Asia. Paris 2024 offers a perfect opportunity to silence the critics, and with just 11 other opposing teams to negotiate the enigmatic nation will surely be seen as a dark horse for the podium.
