SYDNEY, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Myong Yu Jong scored a first-half hat-trick as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) returned to the AFC Women's Asian Cup with a 3-0 win over Uzbekistan in Sydney on Tuesday.
Rated as a title contender, DPRK dominated its first match in the tournament since finishing runner-up at the 2010 edition in China.
Myong scored twice from the penalty spot as Uzbekistan made a difficult return after a 23-year absence.
DPRK made a flying start when Myong fired a volley from the center of the box into the top left corner in the sixth minute.
The first half witnessed Uzbekistan's goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova being carried off on a stretcher with a neck brace. Zarina Saidova, who replaced Jonimqulova, was tested almost immediately after Chae Un Yong was fouled in the penalty area. She got a hand to the shot but could not stop Myong's penalty as DPRK doubled its lead.
Uzbekistan conceded another penalty just before halftime when Madina Khikmatova was penalized for handball in the box.
Myong completed her hat-trick from the spot and was substituted shortly before halftime.
DPRK will play its next Group B match on Friday against Bangladesh, while Uzbekistan faces defending champion China. ■
