Joint cheers echo as NK team edges Suwon FC Women in historic match
SUWON, Gyeonggi Province — Rain lashed down on Suwon Sports Complex, south of Seoul, Wednesday evening, but it did little to dampen the intensity on the pitch or the emotions in the stands as Suwon FC Women faced North Korea’s Naegohyang FC in the Asian Football Federation Women’s Champions League (AWCL) semifinal.
The two professional sides battled through sheets of rain and swirling wind for a place in Saturday’s final, chasing what would be a first AWCL title for either club and a landmark trophy for women’s football in both Koreas.
The Korea Football Association brought both the semifinals and final of the continental tournament to Suwon, allowing Suwon FC Women to stage their AWCL debut on home turf after winning the 2024 WK League title.
The host pushed to deliver a historic first continental crown for the Korean women’s professional league, but ultimately fell 2-1 to Naegohyang.
The North Korean side advanced to face Japan’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza in Saturday’s final at 2 p.m. on the same pitch, with about $1 million in prize money at stake.
In the stands, however, the
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 —