N.KOREA -WOMEN'S YOUTH- GLORIES : FOOTBALL HONOURS

NORTH KOREA is basking in its dominance of  women's youth football after a third World Cup win just over a year, sporting success that is being used to justify the secretive state's political system.

A 3-0 win against the Netherlands in Morocco on Saturday saw the North Koreans lift a second successive Women's U-17 World Cup, and fourth in all, following their victory 12 months ago.

The back-to-back U-17 triumphs came after North Korea, which is largely closed off to the outside world, also won the Women's World Cup at under 20-level in September 2024.

The North Koreans swept all before them in Morocco, scoring a tournament record 25 goals and conceding just three as they won all seven of their matches.

The triumph saw North Korea's propaganda machine swing into action on Monday with the team's exploits seized upon by state media as '' bringing joy to our beloved motherland.''

The Rodong Sinmun newspaper blazed a state news agency KCNA piece across its front page trumpeting : '' Our players ran across the pitch waving the dignified flag of our republic with pride.''

Nuclear-armed but impoverished, North Korea is more often in the news for sanctions-busting  ballistic missile launches, but sees investment  in sporting success as a way to vindicate its political system.

 The World Students Society thanks AFP.