Naegohyang FC won the AFC Women's Champions League by beating Japan's Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 in the final held in Suwon, South Korea, on May 20. The victory marked the first time a North Korean sports team has traveled to South Korea to compete since 2018.
The only goal of the match was scored by captain Kim Kyong Yong in first-half stoppage time, following a pass from Jong Kum during a swift counter-attack down the left flank. Although Tokyo Verdy Beleza pushed hard for an equalizer in the second half, Naegohyang's defense held firm to secure the win.
Earlier, Naegohyang had defeated Suwon FC Women 2-1 in the semi-final, also at Suwon Stadium, in a rare match between clubs from the two Koreas. Interest in the North Korean visitors was enormous: all 7,087 tickets for the semi-final sold out within hours. However, tickets for the final remained available before kick-off, with many empty seats in the stands. Because North Koreans are generally not permitted to enter South Korea, there were no official Naegohyang supporters. Instead, South Korean fans wore hats and sunglasses under the sun, beat traditional drums, and cheered for the visiting team. About 3,000 spectators from civil society groups, supported by South Korea's Ministry of Unification, attended the match.
Cheong Wook-sik, director of the South Korean NGO Peace Network, said before the match: 'This is emotionally moving for many of us. We have long been each other's closest neighbors, but also each other's most hostile enemies. I hope these football events can help change that, even if it sounds idealistic.'
94-year-old Choi Hyo-kwan, originally from North Korea, was also in the stands cheering: 'I heard they were playing Japan today, so I came to support them. Above all, I hope everyone stays healthy, avoids injuries, and wins.'
Historically, Tokyo Verdy Beleza had beaten Naegohyang 4-0 in the group stage in Myanmar, but the final was far more balanced. Although Tokyo dominated possession in the second half, Naegohyang held on. After the final whistle, the players hugged each other, and coach Ri Yu Il sat on the bench and wept with joy.
Women's football is one of North Korea's strongest sports. The national women's team is currently ranked 11th in the world by FIFA, while the men's team is ranked 118th. With this title, Naegohyang will earn a spot in next year's FIFA Women's Champions Cup, a tournament featuring the world's top clubs.
