North Korean side Naegohyang wins Asian Women's Champions League

North Korean side Naegohyang have made history by winning the AFC Women's Champions League. In the final held in the South Korean city of Suwon, they defeated Japan's Tokyo Verdy Beleza with a 1-0 scoreline.

Captain Kim Kyong Yong scored the decisive goal just before half-time, securing the title for the North Korean team in their debut year in the competition. Players celebrated the victory by parading the North Korean national flag, a rare sight in South Korea due to legal restrictions, though permitted under specific conditions for international sporting events.

While no official away fans were present due to travel restrictions between the two countries, approximately 1,200 members of civic groups supported by Seoul's unification ministry attended the match. The event was viewed by some as a potential positive precedent for inter-Korean relations.

Tensions remained evident during the post-match press conference, as coach Ri Yu Il and Kim Kyong Yong walked out after a reporter referred to their nation as the "north side". Coach Ri stated that the players were solely focused on their performance and avoided external issues.

The victory qualifies Naegohyang for next year's FIFA Women's Champions Cup, where they will represent Asia alongside other continental champions.