South Korea hosts North Korean womens team in Asian Champions League semifinals

Naegohyang Women’s FC Advances to Asian Women’s Champions League Final

North Korea’s first-ever sports team to visit South Korea in eight years, Naegohyang Women’s FC, has secured a historic 2-1 win over Suwon FC Women in the semifinals of the Asian Women’s Champions League. The match took place at the Suwon Sports Complex Stadium on Wednesday, amidst torrential rain.

Suwon captain Ji So-yun missed a penalty with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game. Naegohyang’s Choe Kum Ok scored her team’s equalizer in the second half and later headed home from a free kick to level the score. Prolific striker Kim Kyong Yong then gave Naegohyang the lead with a header in the 67th minute.

The North Koreans will now face Tokyo Verdy Beleza of Japan in the final on Saturday at the same stadium. The match was played in a fair spirit, with no major incidents reported. Interest in the rare North-South semifinal was high, with 7,087 general admission tickets selling out within hours of going on sale.

A group of spectators from civic groups backed by Seoul’s unification ministry attended the game to support both teams. Suwon fans were vocal, banging drums and chanting for their team. Naegohyang’s players hugged each other and wept at the full-time whistle after securing the win.

The two teams had previously met in the group stage, with Naegohyang winning 3-0. Former Chelsea midfielder Ji said Suwon was prepared for a tough physical battle, but ultimately fell short. The match will be played without official away supporters due to North Korean travel restrictions.

In other news, Tokyo Verdy Beleza defeated Melbourne City 3-1 in the other semifinal earlier in the day.

Source: Al Jazeera