In a thrilling match held in Suwon, South Korea, Naegohyang FC of North Korea edged out Tokyo Verdy Beleza with a score of 1-0 to clinch soccer’s Asian Women’s Champions League title on Saturday.
The decisive moment came just before halftime when Kim Kyong Yong netted her fourth goal of the tournament, expertly finishing after a well-timed pass from Kim Jung, who skillfully evaded the Japanese defense.
Despite the modest turnout at Suwon Sports Complex, the Pyongyang-based team showcased more offensive opportunities than their Tokyo counterparts in a closely contested clash, marking an impressive victory in the second edition of the tournament, following Wuhan Jiangda’s earlier success.
This victory adds to North Korea’s remarkable achievements in women’s soccer, having seen their national team secure both the U-20 and U-17 World Cups in 2024, with a successful title defense of the latter in 2025.
At the continental level, North Korea also triumphed in the 2024 Women’s Asian Cup as well as the U-17 tournament in both 2024 and 2026.
“It’s difficult to convey the development of our national football programs in just a few words,” noted Naegohyang head coach Ri Yu Il prior to the final.
“We’ve put into place a specialized player development system. Our athletes receive thorough training from a young age, which allows them to excel in AFC and FIFA competitions as they progress.”