Hometown Women’s FC recorded a historic 2-1 win over Suwon FC Women in a rare away game in Korea and will now face Tokyo Verdi Belleza in the final.
Published May 20, 2026
The North Korean sports team, visiting South Korea for the first time in eight years, advanced to the finals of the Asian Women’s Champions League by defeating Suwon FC Women 2-1.
My hometown defeated their southern rivals in a come-from-behind victory amid heavy rain in Suwon last Wednesday, and engaged in a fiercely contested semi-final that was played fairly and without major flashpoints.
Suwon captain Ji So-yoon missed a penalty kick with about 10 minutes left in the game.
As the Suwon players fell to the ground, the North Korean players hugged each other and cried when the full-time whistle sounded.
Choi Geum-ok, the hometown player who scored the equalizing goal in the second half, said, “We believed in our team’s abilities.”
“If we all stick together, the semifinals or finals won’t be a problem for us.”
The North Korean team will remain in South Korea for Saturday’s final, where they will face Japan’s Tokyo Verdi Belleza at the same stadium.
Coach Choi said, “Each player’s role is important, but the situation was not good in the first half.”
“I think we found our rhythm in the second half and the flow of the game got a lot better.”
Interest in the rare North-South semifinal was strong, and last week’s 7,087 general admission tickets were sold out within hours of going on sale.
However, due to bad weather, half of the seats at Suwon Sports Complex, which has no roof, were empty.
‘I’ve traveled too far’
A large number of civic group officials supported by the Ministry of Unification visited the stadium to cheer on both teams, but most remained silent.
“I will be rooting for both teams,” Lee, a woman who attended the game, told AFP. “I am rooting for North Korea a little more because they have come a long way to get here.”
Suwon fans beat drums and cheered for their team.
Suwon fan Kwon Yun-young (29) said, “Whether the opponent is a North Korean team or a team from another country, I hope we win and advance to the finals to show how strong our women’s soccer team is.”
There were no official supporters of the expedition, as North Koreans are generally not permitted to enter South Korea.
The two teams faced each other in the group stage at the beginning of the tournament, and Naeghyo won 3-0.
Former Chelsea midfielder Ji said Suwon expected the semi-final to be a tough and physical battle and were prepared to give their best.
The action was quick and fair as both teams created chances early on.
My hometown was declared offside in the 5th minute of the first half, and Suwon’s Japanese striker Haruhi Suzuki headed the goal midway through the first half.
In the 49th minute of the second half, Suzuki took advantage of the home defense’s hesitation and gave Suwon the first goal.
North Korea equalized six minutes later when Choi Hee-seop headed a free kick.
Then, in the 67th minute, striker Kim Gyeong-yong gave Naehyang the first goal by ending a sloppy attack with a header.
Suwon was awarded a penalty kick after a VAR review, but Ji Seong-jun’s spot kick went in the wrong direction of the goalkeeper.
Tokyo defeated Australia’s Melbourne City 3-1 in the other semifinal held this morning.
