By Aderonke Ojo
North Korea dominated the world U17 women’s football tournament in Morocco and also carted away top awards of the mundial.
Yu Jong-hyang bagged the Golden ball which is for the most valuable player award of the tournament even after winning the Golden Boot which is for the highest scorer of the tournament.
Her team mate, wonder girl, Kim Won-Sim received the Silver booth for second highest scorer with 6 goals just two short from Jong-hyang’s 8 goal haul while the Bronze booth was given to Roseline Renfurm of Netherlands.
While Goalkeeper Valentia Murrieta of Mexico kept the Golden Gloves for the Best Goalkeeper to her chest hugging it passionately, Ref Olatz Rivera of Spain who officiated the grand finale led match officials to receive the gold medals.
A total 175 goals were scored in the 52 matches played at the tournament with a total 66, 808 fans at the stands.
Although the attendance at the finals in Rabat were not immediately available, a good 29,814 fans were at the stands at Costa Rica 2014 to watch Japan beat Spain 2-0.
North Korea created a record not only as a defending champion to retain the trophy but was appearing in her 5th U17 female world cup finals which she has won now a record four times
At the 2025 tournament in Morocco, the first on African soil, North Korea became world Champions for the fourth time; Netherlands won her first Silver medal by coming second; Mexico bagged the Bronze medal while Brazil placed 4th.
The 10th U-17 women’s world cup finals will take place in Brazil from 24th June – 25th July 2027 with 32 teams from six continents playing at 8 cities.