Women's Football
The second edition featured a record 25 clubs, four more than the previous season, and culminated in DPR Korea’s Naegohyang Women’s FC lifting the trophy after a 1-0 victory over Japan’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza in the Final in Suwon, Korea Republic.
An in-depth review of the various stages of the tournament retraces Naegohyang’s title-winning campaign, before their head coach, Ri Yu Il, discusses his coaching philosophy in an exclusive interview, which includes insights from his years as a coach educator.
Among the key themes to emerge from the conversation was a mentality centred on self-reflection and the willingness to continually strive for improvement – qualities to which the 41-year-old attaches as much importance as tactical acumen.
The report also examines the tactical trends that defined the 2025/26 campaign, most notably the increasing versatility in playing styles and the ability of teams to adapt their approach according to the match context. This included a study of how some sides favoured possession-based build-up play, while others opted for a more direct attacking approach, with some also displaying a preference for counter-attacking football and compact defensive structures.
A detailed analysis of the 78 goals scored during the tournament is followed by a closer look at some of its most salient features in the Talking Points section, which explored topics such as the role of the competition in raising competitive standards across domestic leagues in Asia, as well as the factors behind the sustained success of teams from Japan and Korea Republic, who have consistently featured in the latter stages.
The publication delves into the performance of each participating club, including key features, formations and playing styles, while a dedicated section on the 59 match officials provides a glimpse into the extensive preparation undertaken to ensure the highest officiating standards, and highlights the use of the Football Video Support system, which was introduced during the Group Stage for the first time.
Packed with technical insights and statistics, the AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26™ Technical Report, available here, offers an engaging read for technical staff and passionate fans of Asian football, capturing the thrilling moments from an unforgettable journey.
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