North Korea continued its regional dominance in women’s youth soccer by winning the U-17 Women’s Asian Cup on Sunday, trouncing Japan 5-1 to defend its title.

The clash between the previously unbeaten teams in this year’s competition ended in a comfortable victory for North Korea, powered by star forward Yu Jong Hyang’s four goals and one assist.  

North Korea’s victory margin was all the more notable as Japan had not conceded a single goal in the entire competition before Yu and her teammate Kim Won Sim sank the ball past Japanese goalkeeper Ayaka Miyaji five times.

Yu’s all-round performance