North Korean women's football team Naegohyang FC have made history by winning 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, and the occasion was celebrated with emotional scenes both on and off the pitch.
Match Decided by First-Half Goal
The only goal of the match came just before half-time, when captain Kim Kyong Yong slotted home after a swift counterattack. Jong Kum broke down the left flank and squared the ball for Kim to finish, giving Naegohyang a lead they would not relinquish. Tokyo pressed for an equaliser in the second half, but the North Korean side defended resolutely and saw out the game to secure the title.
Historic Journey to the Final
Naegohyang's path to the final included a rare North-South match-up in the semi-finals, where they defeated South Korean side Suwon FC Women 2-1. The match was played at the same Suwon stadium and drew intense interest, with all 7,087 general admission tickets selling out within hours. For the final, tickets were still available shortly before kick-off, and large sections of the stadium remained empty.
The team, founded in 2012, takes its name from the Korean phrase meaning "My Hometown." Women's football is one of North Korea's strongest international sports, with the national side ranked 11th in the FIFA world rankings, far above the men's team at 118th.
Emotional Scenes and Support
After the final whistle, players from both teams embraced, and Naegohyang coach Ri Yu Il was overcome with emotion, weeping on the bench. There were no official North Korean supporters due to travel restrictions, but South Korean spectators cheered for Naegohyang, beating traditional Korean drums in the sunny weather. Around 3,000 spectators from civic groups backed by Seoul's unification ministry were expected to attend.
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 show his support. "I heard they were playing Japan today, so I came out to support them," he said. "Above all, I just hope everyone stays healthy, avoids injuries and goes all the way to victory."
Road to the Final
Naegohyang and Tokyo had met earlier in the competition, with the Japanese side winning 4-0 in the first round in Myanmar. However, the final was a much closer affair. Tokyo had the better of the first half until Naegohyang's late strike. In the second half, the Japanese side pressed for an equaliser but could not breach the North Korean defence.
Naegohyang's victory earns them a place in next year's FIFA Women's Champions Cup, featuring teams from around the world. Tokyo, who were seeking their second Asian title after winning the forerunner competition in 2019, were left to rue missed opportunities.
