Corea DPR

Nuclear-armed but impoverished, North Korea is more often in the news for sanctions-busting ballistic missile launches. But after winning the under-17 Women's World Cup on Sunday, state media proclaimed that the country's teenage players were "the attention of football experts, fans and spectators across the world". The U17 triumph came after North Korea - largely closed off to the outside world - also lifted the Women's World Cup at under-20 level in September.

Japan punched their ticket to the Paris Olympics women's football competition with a hard-fought 2-1 win over North Korea in Wednesday's qualifying second leg in a chilly Tokyo. The two sides drew 0-0 in Saturday's first leg on neutral ground in Saudi Arabia, setting up a winner-takes-all showdown for one of the two Asian berths at the Games.

North Korea women's football coach Ri Yu Il is targeting a place at the Paris Olympics "for the glory of our country" in Wednesday's winner-takes-all qualifying showdown with Japan in Tokyo. The two sides drew 0-0 in Saturday's first leg on neutral ground in Saudi Arabia and the winners will claim one of two Asian berths at the Games. Ri said his players would "draw power from representing our country" at Tokyo's National Stadium but warned that Japan would feel the same passion.