A decisive strike in Suwon
The final of the Asian Women’s Champions League unfolded at the Suwon Sports Complex, just south of Seoul, before a modest gathering of spectators.
North Korea’s Naegohyang FC broke the deadlock in the 78th minute when Kim Kyong Yong struck a precise shot that slipped past the Tokyo Verdy Beleza goalkeeper, delivering a 1‑0 victory.
The goal marked the fourth tally of the tournament for Kim Kyong Yong and capped a campaign in which the North Korean side remained unbeaten, having also overcome South Korea’s Suwon FC in the semifinals.
Coach Ri Yu Il, who has overseen the team’s rise, attributed the success to a focused development pathway that blends rigorous training with academic support, a model he says could reshape youth football in the region.
The triumph follows a period of dominance by the North Korean women’s program, which captured both the U‑20 and U‑17 World Cups in 2024 and defended its continental crown in the U‑17 category in 2025, as well as the 2024 Women’s Asian Cup.