North Korea’s U-17 Women Crowned World Cup Champions

North Korea’s Under-17 women’s football team received a heroes’ welcome in the capital, Pyongyang after they won the Under-17 Women’s World Cup defeating Spain in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in the final in the Dominican Republic. The victory which came just a week after their triumph in the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in September, marked North Korea’s second global title in two months, further boosting their growing international success.

Hundreds of people gathered on the streets of Pyongyang to celebrate the team’s achievement. Officials and families welcomed the players at Pyongyang International Airport where they greeted the athletes with flowers and North Korean flags. One mother, dressed in traditional hanbok, praised her daughter’s hard work. Jon Il Chong, who won the Golden Ball for best player at the U17 World Cup expressed pride in the team’s victory and said that it was their honor to present their success to Kim Jong Un.

Jon, who scored the equalizing goal against Spain, vowed to continue training hard to represent North Korea globally. Her mother, Kim Yong Sil also spoke of her commitment to nurturing her daughter’s career as a world-class player. After their arrival, the team paraded through the city in an open truck adorned with flowers and North Korean flags, waving to the crowds.

Some people approached the vehicle to shake hands while military personnel saluted the players. While North Korea’s men’s football team ranks 111th globally, the country’s women’s team has made a significant impact by winning two youth World Cups in quick succession. North Korea has qualified for the Women’s World Cup four times, reaching the quarter-finals in 2007 and currently holds the ninth spot in the world rankings.