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)
