Vietnam women lose to DPRK
Vietnam lost to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) 1-0 at the AFC Women's Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 qualifiers in Japan on March 4.
Ju Hyo-sim scored the game's only goal in the 90th minute.
The DPRK have five points after three games, while Vietnam remain bottom of the group without a single point.
"It was so difficult for us to score today. But this is not the end of this competition and we have to just focus on the next two matches," North Korea coach Kim Kwang-min was quoted as saying by the-afc.com.
"Compared to the qualifiers for the last Olympic Games in London, Asian women's football has really improved so we cannot expect to achieve results at this stage of the qualifiers.
"Only time will tell who will make it through to Rio 2016."
It was Vietnam's third defeat at the event in Osaka, following a 9-0 loss to Australia on March 2 and a 2-0 loss to China on February 29.
North Korea dominated the first half but were frustrated by Vietnamese goalkeeper Dang Thi Kieu Trinh.
Vietnam also had several chances to score in the first half but failed to hit the net.
After the break, Vietnam defended resolutely, denying the DPRK good opportunities.
However, the DPRK scored in the last minute of the second half to secure a 1-0 victory.
"Today we are very satisfied with the team. Even though we lost in the last minute we are very satisfied, the players did well and concentrated and tried their best," Vietnam's coach Mai Duc Chung said at the the-afc.com.
"We are the only team in the final round of qualifiers representing the South East region. Even being here is a success.
"Maybe we won't make it to the Olympics, but we will ask the players to fight and try to win the last two games."
On March 7, Vietnam will meet Japan.
