Players of Naegohyang Women's FC celebrate after winning the final match between Naegohyang Women's FC and Tokyo Verdy Beleza at the 2025/2026 AFC Women's Champions League in Suwon, South Korea, May 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)
SEOUL, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Naegohyang Women's FC from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) defeated Japan's Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 on Saturday to win the AFC Women's Champions League title.
Naegohyang captain Kim Kyong Yong scored the winner in the 44th minute at Suwon Stadium in Suwon, south of Seoul, sealing the DPRK club's first title in the competition. The victory also earned Naegohyang one million U.S. dollars in prize money.
Kim, who also scored the decisive goal in Naegohyang's 2-1 semifinal win over South Korea's Suwon FC Women on Wednesday, was named the tournament's most valuable player.
"I feel proud to be named the most valuable player as a member of Naegohyang," Kim said after the match. "This honor is not mine alone. I think I was able to achieve this because all my teammates and coaches gave me strong support."
Naegohyang was the first DPRK women's football club to visit South Korea for a competition, drawing wide local attention and organized cheering at the venue.
With the victory, Naegohyang will represent Asia at the FIFA Women's Champions Cup. ■
Players of Naegohyang Women's FC celebrate after winning the final match between Naegohyang Women's FC and Tokyo Verdy Beleza at the 2025/2026 AFC Women's Champions League in Suwon, South Korea, May 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)
Players of Naegohyang Women's FC celebrate after winning the final match between Naegohyang Women's FC and Tokyo Verdy Beleza at the 2025/2026 AFC Women's Champions League in Suwon, South Korea, May 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)
Ri Myong Gum (C) of Naegohyang Women's FC vies with Yuzuho Shiokoshi (L) of Tokyo Verdy Beleza during the final match between Naegohyang Women's FC and Tokyo Verdy Beleza at the 2025/2026 AFC Women's Champions League in Suwon, South Korea, May 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)
Players of Naegohyang Women's FC celebrate after winning the final match between Naegohyang Women's FC and Tokyo Verdy Beleza at the 2025/2026 AFC Women's Champions League in Suwon, South Korea, May 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)
Players of Naegohyang Women's FC celebrate after winning the final match between Naegohyang Women's FC and Tokyo Verdy Beleza at the 2025/2026 AFC Women's Champions League in Suwon, South Korea, May 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)
Choe Kum Ok (C) of Naegohyang Women's FC vies with Mayo Doko (R) of Tokyo Verdy Beleza during the final match between Naegohyang Women's FC and Tokyo Verdy Beleza at the 2025/2026 AFC Women's Champions League in Suwon, South Korea, May 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)
Kim Kyong Yong (2nd R) of Naegohyang Women's FC vies with Tomoko Muramatsu (1st R) of Tokyo Verdy Beleza during the final match between Naegohyang Women's FC and Tokyo Verdy Beleza at the 2025/2026 AFC Women's Champions League in Suwon, South Korea, May 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)
Ri Sin Ok (L) of Naegohyang Women's FC vies with Hikaru Naomoto of Tokyo Verdy Beleza during the final match between Naegohyang Women's FC and Tokyo Verdy Beleza at the 2025/2026 AFC Women's Champions League in Suwon, South Korea, May 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)
