South Korea Coach 'Hurt' By Support For North Korean Team After Loss In Historic Clash

Naegohyang Women’s FC reached the Asian Women’s Champions League final after coming from behind to defeat hosts Suwon FC Women 2-1 in a rain-lashed North-South Korean semi-final on Wednesday, marking the first visit by a North Korean sports team to the South in eight years.

The match at Suwon Sports Complex Stadium attracted huge interest due to the rare sporting encounter between the rival nations. More than 7,000 tickets were sold within hours of going on sale, although heavy rain reduced the official attendance to 5,763. Supporters from civic groups backed by Seoul’s unification ministry were also present, cheering for both teams in a subdued atmosphere.

Despite playing at home, Suwon coach Park Kil-young admitted his side struggled with the

emotional weight of the occasion.

“We are Suwon FC Women of the Republic of Korea,” he said, fighting to control his emotions.

“Throughout the match, our players and our staff felt hurt.”

Park said the unprecedented spotlight affected his squad, noting they had “never played in front of so many people and so many writers before”.

“We needed to win today to draw more attention to women’s football here, and our players competed so hard with that in mind,” he said.

“Hopefully, this match will help people take more interest in our sport and make them come to more matches.”

Suwon took the lead early in the second half through Japanese striker Haruhi Suzuki, but Naegohyang quickly replied when Choe Kum Ok headed in the equaliser, before Kim Kyong Yong scored the winner in the 67th minute.

Suwon captain Ji So-yun then missed a crucial late penalty, firing wide even though the goalkeeper dived the wrong way.

Korea United

The North Korean players celebrated emotionally at full-time, embracing and crying on the pitch.

“We believed in our team’s ability,” said Naegohyang’s Choe Kum Ok, who scored her team’s equaliser in the second half.

“If all of us stay united, neither the semi-final or final will be a problem for us.”

Naegohyang coach Ri Yu Il praised the atmosphere despite the tension surrounding the occasion.

“It was a very intense match and we were too caught up in it to be too conscious of the cheering,” said Ri Yu Il, who formerly led North Korea’s women’s national team.

“However, I felt that people here have such a high level of interest in football.”

(With inputs from Agencies)