Soccer-North Korea's Naegohyang down Suwon to set up Tokyo Verdy final clash


Soccer Football - Asian Women's Champions League - Semi Final - Naegohyang FC v Suwon FC - Suwon Sports Complex, Suwon, South Korea - May 20, 2026 Naegohyang FC players celebrate after the match REUTERS/Kim Soo-Hyeon

May 21 (Reuters) - North Korea's ⁠Naegohyang Women's FC will take on Tokyo Verdy Beleza ⁠in the Asian women's Champions League final on ‌Saturday after securing a 2-1 win over South Korean hosts Suwon FC on Wednesday.

Second-half goals from Choe Kum-ok and Kim Kyung-yong set up a meeting ​with the Japanese side, who eliminated ⁠defending champions Melbourne City 3-1.

The ⁠Naegohyang goal led a charmed life with both Haruhi Suzuki ⁠and ‌Mileninha hitting the woodwork in the first half before Suwon took the lead when Suzuki flicked her ⁠49th-minute effort past Pak Ju Gyong.

The North Koreans ​levelled six minutes ‌later when Choe rose highest to glance Ri Yu-jong's ⁠free kick ​beyond Kim Kyung-hee.

Twelve minutes later Naegohyang went in front, captain Kim making the most of the Suwon defence's inability to clear a ⁠high ball to steer her header ​into the bottom corner.

A missed penalty by former Chelsea forward Ji So-yun in the 78th minute ensured the North Koreans advanced ⁠to Saturday's final, where they will take on Tokyo Verdy Beleza.

The Japanese raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening 10 minutes against Melbourne City with close-range finishes from Yuzuho Shiokoshi ​and Miharu Shinjo.

Aideen Keane halved the ⁠deficit eight minutes before the interval but Shiokoshi netted her second ​of the game in the 78th ‌minute when she pounced on ​a rebound after Malena Mieres had saved Shinjo's attempt from distance.

(Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Ed Osmond)

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