North Korean side Naegohyang FC have won the Asian Women’s Champions League, defeating Japan’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 in the final held in Suwon, South Korea. The victory marks the first time a North Korean team has visited the South in eight years, a historic journey that culminated in a triumphant trophy lift.
Match Summary
Captain Kim Kyong-yong scored the only goal just before half-time, securing the title for Naegohyang. The match was fiercely contested but played in a fair spirit, with players embracing at the final whistle. Coach Ri Yu Il was visibly emotional, weeping with joy on the bench.
Road to the Final
Naegohyang, founded in 2012 and whose name means “My Hometown” in Korean, advanced to the final by defeating South Korean side Suwon FC Women 2-1 in the semi-finals, a rare inter-Korean matchup. The final against Tokyo was a much closer affair compared to their earlier group-stage meeting, which Tokyo won 4-0 in Myanmar.
Historic Context
Women’s football is a strong sport in North Korea, with the national team ranked 11th in the FIFA world rankings, significantly higher than the men’s team at 118th. This win qualifies Naegohyang for next year’s FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, featuring teams from around the world.
Fan Support and Atmosphere
Interest in Naegohyang’s visit was intense. The semi-final against Suwon sold out its 7,087 general admission tickets within hours. For the final, tickets were still available shortly before kick-off, and swathes of empty seats were visible. No official North Korean supporters were present, as North Koreans are generally not allowed into the South, and the two countries remain technically at war since 1950. However, South Korean spectators, wearing sunglasses and caps under sunny weather, beat traditional Korean drums and cheered for Naegohyang. Around 3,000 spectators from civic groups backed by Seoul’s unification ministry were expected.
Emotional Impact
Cheong Wook-sik, director of South Korean NGO Peace Network, described the visit as “emotionally overwhelming for many of us.” He added, “We have long been the closest neighbours, yet also the most hostile towards each other. I hope these football events can help change that, even if it may sound too idealistic.” Choi Hyo-kwan, a 94-year-old originally from the North, attended the game to support Naegohyang, saying, “I heard they were playing Japan today, so I came out to support them. Above all, I just hope everyone stays healthy, avoids injuries and goes all the way to victory.”
Match Details
Tokyo had the better of the first half until Naegohyang scored one minute before the interval. Jong Kum broke down the left after a quick counterattack and squared the ball for Kim to finish. Tokyo pressed for an equaliser in the second half, but Naegohyang defended comfortably and looked for counterattacks. Tokyo were seeking their second Asian title, having won the forerunner competition in 2019.
