Historic Upset: North Korean Women’s Club Claims Asian Title

Translation result.Naegohyang captures Asian crown in Suwon, beats Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 — captain Kim Kyung-young nets winner; club pockets $1 million (about 1.5 billion KRW)Naegohyang, the North Korean women’s club, defeated Japan’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 to claim the 2025–26 AFC Women’s Champions League (AWCL) title at Suwon Sports Complex on the 23rd. This marks the first time a North Korean team has won the competition, including its predecessor, the AFC Women’s Club Championship. The winners take home $1 million (about 1.5 billion KRW).Captain Kim Kyung-young scored the decisive goal, calmly finishing a counterattack in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper late in the first half. Tokyo Verdy had beaten Naegohyang 4-0 in the group stage but could not sustain that form in the final. The runner-up prize was $500,000 (about 750 million KRW).The match opened evenly. Naegohyang relied on superior fitness and heavy pressure to spring counters, while Tokyo Verdy focused on possession-based passing. In the 15th minute, Shiokoshi Yuzuho cut in from the flank and forced a save with a right-footed effort. Midway through the first half, a robust challenge prompted a VAR review: in the 31st minute, Japan’s Shinjo Maharu raised her foot near Ri Su-jeong’s face and received a yellow card, and VAR left the on-field decision unchanged.The deadlock broke just before halftime. After a long pass out of the back, Jeong Geum-i won a defensive duel to keep the ball alive, and Kim Kyung-young finished past the keeper to give Naegohyang the lead.Tokyo Verdy poured forward after the break, but Naegohyang held firm with compact defending and quick counters. In the 69th minute, Ri Myong-geum’s header came back off the post, and Kim Kyung-young’s long-range attempt failed to produce a second goal. Tokyo Verdy never found an equalizer, and Naegohyang celebrated on the pitch when the final whistle sounded.The final drew 2,670 spectators to Suwon Sports Complex. South Korean private supporter groups were in attendance, waving balloons and flags for Naegohyang. It was the first visit by North Korean footballers to South Korea since the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, and the first time a North Korean women’s club team has traveled to South Korea.