Philippines and North Korea Earn Places in Womens World Cup After Asian Cup Successes

Angela Beard and Jaclyn Sawicki each found the net shortly after the interval to clinch a 2-0 win against Uzbekistan at Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast securing the Philippines entry to their second successive World Cup.

Later that Thursday at the identical ground Hong Song-Ok claimed a hat-trick and Kim Kyong-yong netted too as North Korea hammered Taiwan the three-time Asian Cup title holders 4-0 earning them a return to the World Cup stage for the first time since 2011.

Even after their defeats Uzbekistan and Taiwan retain chances to reach the World Cup with both sides progressing to the inter-confederation playoffs for the event held every four years.

Japan confront host country Australia in the womens Asian Cup decider at Stadium Australia in Sydney come Saturday.