From being founded less than two decades ago to scaling domestic and continental mountains and with a global peak to now ascend, it’s been a dramatic ride for Naegohyang Women’s FC.
With the Korea DPR powerhouse having defeated Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 in the final of the Women’s Asian Champions League, it means they’ve also punched a ticket to the second edition of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup and that’s a challenge that is exciting head coach Ri Yu-il.
“Naegohyang were founded only 14 years ago, so I am truly delighted that we have reached the very top of Asia. I am proud and grateful to the players who followed the coach’s direction for this moment. We focused only on football, winning and our development, and did not pay attention to anything else.
“We may be a team with a short history, having been founded not long ago, but we have now reached a historic moment in which we are going out into the world as Asia’s No1 team. These emotions are beyond words. The awards ceremony is now over, and we have tasks ahead of us to go further.
“As a coach, I will make the most of the experience we have gained and do my utmost to achieve greater development and stronger results on an even bigger stage.”
The continental final, in Suwon, was ultimately decided by captain Kim Kyong-yong’s solitary goal, but Naegohyang overwhelmed Beleza with a compact defensive line and a string of powerful counter-attacks. It was from one of those moments where Kim, also a star for the Korea DPR national team, struck to continue a remarkable period of success for women’s football in the nation.
Korea DPR became back-to-back FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ champions by emerging victorious at both Dominican Republic 2024 and Morocco 2025, and they also reached the summit at the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia in 2024.
Earlier this year the senior side secured a return to the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and Ri is delighted that Naegohyang could show that Korea DPR clubs can also compete with the very best, as he detailed post-match.
“There is not enough time to explain everything. To put it briefly, I would say that the development system is excellent. There is a high-level development structure in place, including Pyongyang International Football School. Trained and educated players are reaching a high level, and that is why they are producing good results in Asian continental competitions and in FIFA tournaments.”
Images courtesy of the AFC
