North Korea demolish Bangladesh 5-0 in Women's Asian Cup opener

Three-time winners North Korea continued their unbeaten run in the Women's Asian Cup by crushing Bangladesh 5-0 on Friday.

Favoured to lift the trophy in Australia, North Korea began with a 3-0 victory over Uzbekistan and showed no mercy to newcomers Bangladesh.

Early in the first half at CommBank Stadium near Sydney, the North Koreans believed they had scored twice, but VAR disallowed both efforts.

Bangladesh had lost 2-0 to China in their first game, and it seemed inevitable that they would suffer against the stronger North Koreans.

The breakthrough came in added time before the interval as Myong Yu Jong converted a penalty, following her hat-trick against Uzbekistan.

North Korea made it 2-0 shortly after, with Kim Kyong Yong scoring in the seventh minute of first-half stoppage time.

Aiming for the quarter-finals, Kim, Chae Un Yong and Kim Hye Yong netted in the second period as Bangladesh crumbled.

Defending champions China will play Uzbekistan in Group B later on Friday.