North Korea's Naegohyang Reaches Asian Final After 2-1 Win, Facing Tokyo Verdy Beleza
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 22
North Korea's Naegohyang Reaches Asian Final After 2-1 Win, Facing Tokyo Verdy Beleza
12 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 22
Naegohyang booked a place in Saturday's Asian Women's Champions League final by beating South Korea's Suwon FC Women 2-1 in Suwon, becoming the first North Korean athletes to compete in the South since 2018.
Second-half goals from Choe Kum Ok and Kim Kyong Yong sealed the semi-final win despite political tension, with Pyongyang having labeled South Korea a hostile state and abandoned reunification as a goal in 2023.
More than 5,000 fans turned out in heavy rain, and local NGOs organized South Korean supporters to cheer both teams in a rare cross-border sporting encounter.
The result underscored North Korea's strength in women's football: the country is ranked 11th by FIFA, Naegohyang won the domestic title in 2022, and North Korean youth teams won the 2024 U-20 and 2025 U-17 Women's World Cups.
Saturday's final against Japan's Tokyo Verdy Beleza now carries wider significance beyond the title, with some in Seoul hoping the match can modestly reopen trust between the two Koreas.
What fate awaits North Korea's star athletes after their high-stakes game in a 'hostile' nation?
Is this rare football match a real step towards peace or just a clever propaganda play by Pyongyang?
Naegohyang FC’s Historic Run: Women’s Champions League 2026 Final, Inter-Korean Tensions, and Asian Football’s Future
Overview
The AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26™ will reach its climax on May 23, 2026, with a final match between North Korea’s Naegohyang FC and Japan’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza at the Suwon Sports Complex. The champions will not only earn continental glory but also a $1 million prize, while the runners-up receive $500,000. For Tokyo Verdy Beleza, this is a historic opportunity, especially for their veteran defender Tomoko Muramatsu, who is determined to lead her team to victory. This high-stakes match promises excitement and significant rewards for both teams.