The Singapore Women’s National Football Team’s Defeat to DPRK at the 19th Asian Games

The Singapore women’s national football team recently faced a formidable challenge at the 19th Asian Games when they went head to head with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), also known as North Korea. This highly anticipated match, which unfolded on September 24, 2023, at the Wenzhou Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, left football enthusiasts and supporters of the Lionesses stunned. The final scoreline of this encounter was a resounding 7-0 victory in favor of DPRK, marking a significant event in the tournament.

A Dominant Display by DPRK

First Half

The game commenced with an early breakthrough by DPRK, as Hong Songok netted a goal just about 10 minutes into the match. The Lionesses’ defense was put to the test again when Ri Kumhyang swiftly followed up with another goal, doubling DPRK’s lead.

Second Half

The second half of the game saw DPRK continuing to assert their dominance. Myong Yujong scored a goal for DPRK within the first five minutes of the half. Shortly after, Ju Hyosim added to the tally with the fourth goal for the North Korean team. Ri Hak further extended their lead with a goal in the 58th minute. In the 61st minute, Kim Kyongyong sealed the fate of the match by heading in DPRK’s sixth goal. The victory was ultimately cemented when Sung Hyangsim scored in stoppage time, leaving Singapore with a challenging 0-7 defeat.

Key Players Missing

While the Lionesses had assembled a squad of 22 players for the Asian Games, some key players were notably absent from the lineup. Danelle Tan, a teenage prodigy, was absent from the squad as she was in Germany, focusing on her club career with Borussia Dortmund. Putri Nur Syaliza, the first local female footballer to be offered an overseas athletic scholarship, was also not part of the squad as she was overseas for her exams at Oakland University in the U.S.

Furthermore, key attacker Nur Izzati Rosni, renowned for scoring Singapore’s winning goal against Laos at the 31st SEA Games, chose to rule herself out of selection. According to reports from The Straits Times, Izzati made this decision to prioritize her mental well-being. Besides Izzati, former captain Ernie Sontaril was dropped from the squad, and forward Lila Tan withdrew to pursue her studies overseas, along with other commitments.

Facing DPRK Twice

Singapore was initially slated to play against both DPRK and Cambodia in Group C of the Asian Games. However, following Cambodia’s withdrawal from the Games, Singapore faced the daunting task of playing against DPRK twice. The overall winner would be determined either by points or by a superior goal difference. The Lionesses were set to face DPRK once more on September 27, 2023, in what promised to be another challenging encounter.