Urgent: China edges DPRK for top spot in Group B at Women's Asian Cup

Team China line up before the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

SYDNEY, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion China edged the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) 2-1 for top spot in Group B at the 2026 Women's Asian Cup in Sydney on Monday night.

China will play the second-place team from Group C in the quarterfinals, while DPRK will have to face host Australia. ■

Players of China celebrate a goal during the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Players of China celebrate a goal during the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Head coach of China Anthony Milicic is seen during the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Wu Haiyan (front) of China heads for the ball during the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Wang Aifang (2nd L) of China vies with Chae Un Yong (2nd R) of DPRK during the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Players of China celebrate a goal during the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Team DPRK line up before the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Players of DPRK celebrate a goal during the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Team China pose before the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Wang Shuang of China celebrates her goal during the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Players of China celebrate a goal during the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Wang Shuang of China celebrates her goal during the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Players of China pose after winning the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Players of China celebrate after winning the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Players of DPRK celebrate for a cancelled goal the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Players of DPRK pose before the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Zhang Linyan (R) of China vies with Ri Myong Gum of DPRK during the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Zhang Chengxue of China celebrates victory after winning the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Players of China celebrate a score during the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Chen Qiaozhu (2nd R) of China celebrates a score during the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Shao Ziqin (L) of China heads for the ball during the Group B match of Women's Asian Cup between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Sydney, Australia, March 9, 2026. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)