North Korea defeated Japan 3-1 for the women's football gold medal at the Asian Games on Wednesday.

Kim Yun-mi, Ra Un-sim and Ho Un-byol scored a goal apiece to give their country a third Asiad title and first since 2006.

North Korea also avenged a loss to Japan in the final at the

2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

Cheered on by hundreds of South Korean fans and members of the North Korean delegation to the Asiad, North Korea capped off an impressive tournament at Munhak Stadium with a solid victory.

Kim Yun-mi opened the scoring in the 12th minute, on a shot from point-blank range that went in off a Japanese defender.

Ra doubled the lead seven minutes into the second half, taking a long feed from midfield and beating two defenders in a foot race before striking it past goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori.

Japan refused to go away, and its captain Aya Miyama cut the deficit in half four minutes after Ra's goal. Nahomi Kawasumi sent a low cross from the right wing that rolled through the North Korean box before finding Miyama, who fended off a North Korean defender to score.

It was the first goal allowed by North Korea at this Asiad.

North Korea then ratcheted up pressure on the other end, and efforts bore fruit with an 87th-minute dagger by Ho.

Yun Song-mi sped down the left flank and crossed for the charging forward, who beat a Japanese defender to the ball for the textbook header. (Yonhap)