North Korean club wins Asian Women's Champions League

North Korean club Naegohyang Womens FC won the Asian Football Confederation Womens Champions League on Saturday, defeating Japans Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 in the final held in Suwon, South Korea, marking the first time a North Korean sports team has visited the South in eight years.

Captain Kim Kyongyong scored the match’s only goal in the 44th minute, just before halftime. Forward Jung Kum won possession on the left wing and sent a cross to Kim, who finished with a deft strike. Kim was also named the tournament’s most valuable player. The victory earned Naegohyang $1 million in prize money.

Naegohyang had advanced to the final by defeating South Korean side Suwon FC Women 2-1 in the semifinals on Wednesday. That match was the first ever between womens club teams from the two Koreas on South Korean soil. Kim also scored the winning goal in that contest. In the final, Tokyo Verdy Beleza pressed early, but Naegohyang goalkeeper Pak Jukyung blocked a shot in the 16th minute. The North Korean side tightened its defense before breaking forward for the goal. Tokyo Verdy Beleza failed to record a single shot on target in the second half.

At the postmatch press conference, head coach Ri...