AFC Women's Champions League Naegohyang Women’s FC are one win from a continental title after turning a rain-soaked and politically charged night in Suwon into a 2-1 comeback win over Suwon FC Women.
The DPR Korea club came from behind at Suwon Sports Complex on Wednesday, May 20, in the AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26 semi-final. The AFC confirmed that the result sends Naegohyang into Saturday’s final against Tokyo Verdy Beleza, who beat Melbourne City 3-1 in the other semi-final.
Suwon Strike First, Naegohyang Answer Twice
Suwon had the better early openings. Haruhi Suzuki hit the woodwork in the first half and Mileninha also struck the post before the Korean side finally broke through after the interval. Suzuki put Suwon ahead in the 49th minute, lifting a finish past Naegohyang goalkeeper Pak Ju Gyong after a deflection inside the area.
The lead lasted only a few minutes. Choe Kum Ok rose to meet Ri Yu Jong’s free kick and headed Naegohyang level in the 55th minute. Twelve minutes later, captain Kim Kyong Yong reacted fastest to a loose, high ball in the Suwon box and steered another header into the net for 2-1.
Suwon still had the cleanest late route back into the game. Former Chelsea midfielder Ji So-yun stepped up from the penalty spot in the 78th minute, but her effort went wide of the left post. Suwon kept pushing, yet Naegohyang’s compact defending carried them through to the final whistle.
A Semi-Final Bigger Than Football
The match carried an unusual weight beyond the scoreline. It was the first visit by a DPR Korea sports team to South Korea for a competition in nearly eight years, and the first such visit since the brief period of inter-Korean sporting exchanges around 2018. AP reported that Naegohyang had already drawn heavy attention after arriving with 39 players and staff.
The setting made the night feel different from a normal neutral-stage semi-final. Hundreds of spectators braved heavy rain, with civic groups supported by South Korea’s unification ministry helping create a large cheering presence. There was no official away section from DPR Korea, because North Korean citizens generally cannot freely travel in the South.
Suwon head coach Park Kil-young was emotional after the defeat. Speaking after the match, he said his players had felt the weight of the attention and wanted the result to bring more visibility to Korean women’s football. CNA reported that the official attendance was 5,763 despite the torrential conditions.
What Comes Next
Naegohyang will now stay in Suwon for the AFC Women’s Champions League final on Saturday, May 23, against Tokyo Verdy Beleza. The Japanese side raced past Melbourne City in the first semi-final, with Yuzuho Shiokoshi scoring twice and Miharu Shinjo also on target.
The final is a rematch from the group stage, where Tokyo Verdy Beleza beat Naegohyang 4-0 in Yangon in November. This version of Naegohyang has already shown a different kind of resilience: one goal down, under heavy rain, and playing inside one of the most watched women’s club matches Korea has hosted in years.
Match Highlights
Sources: AFC match report, AP, Reuters via The Star, CNA/AFP, and KBS World.
