N. Korea briefly reports on women's football team's AFC final bid
North Korea's state media on Thursday briefly reported on its women's football club's advancement to the final of a top Asian club tournament, after beating a South Korean rival.
In a short dispatch, the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the semifinal between "the Naegohyang Team of the DPRK and the Suwon Team of the ROK" took place in South Korea the previous day, using the acronym of each country's official name. "The Naegohyang Team beat its rival 2:1 and advanced into the final" of the Asian Football Confederation Women's Champions League," it said.
It was the first KCNA report on the team since March 29, when it covered the team's quarterfinal victory.
The dispatch omitted several details surrounding the match, including the South Korean crowd's reception of the visiting team and the torrential rain that drenched the pitch.
The Rodong Sinmun, the official paper of the ruling Workers' Party and one of the few publications accessible to ordinary North Koreans, did run photos of players competing in the downpour.
Naegohyang Women's FC defeated Suwon FC Women 2-1 at Suwon Stadi
North Korea beat South in Seoul
- Soccer Game Between North and South Korean Teams Draws Strong Emotion On and Off the Pitch The New York Times —
- North Korea's Naegohyang down Suwon to set up Tokyo Verdy final clash The Straits Times —
- N. Korea soccer team wins 1st sports match played in South in 8 years UPI —
- 1st inter-Korean women's football match in South in years kicks off Korea Times —
- In rare clash, North Korea defeats South Korea … on the soccer field Washington Post —