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)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Others Also Read