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#AWCL | Semi-finals: Naegohyang Women's FC (PRK) 2-1 Suwon FC Women (KOR)

S-final: Naegohyang fight back to book spot

Suwon: Naegohyang Women’s FC came from behind to edge Suwon FC Women 2-1 in a pulsating AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26™ semi-final at the Suwon Sports Complex on Wednesday.
The victory takes DPR Korea's Naegohyang into a mouthwatering final against Japan's Tokyo Verdy Beleza, who ended the challenge of last season’s runners-up Melbourne City FC in the other semi-final.
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The game got off to a cautious start with limited openings though Naegohyang did have the ball in the net in the fifth minute through Kim Kyong Yong’s hit but the strike was chalked off for offside.

Korea Republic's Suwon had to wait till the 21st minute for their first sight, with Yun Su-jeong delivering a sumptuous cross from the right which found Haruhi Suzuki, who escaped the marking of Jo Kuk Hwa but the post came to the rescue of Naegohyang.
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The frame again denied Suwon on the half-hour mark, Suzuki nodding down Ji’s clipped free-kick for Mileninha, who smacked her effort against the woodwork from close range.

Suwon’s pressure kept increasing with Naegohyang’s teenage goalkeeper Pak Ju Gyong needing to produce a fantastic reflex save in the 38th minute to clear Yun’s header from Ayaka Nishikawa’s cross from the left.

S-final: Naegohyang Women’s FC (PRK) v Suwon FC Women (KOR)

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The hosts had one more chance five minutes later after a quick break with Yun’s cutback perfect for Ji to find the target, only for Ri Myong Gum to pull off a late sliding challenge as Naegohyang survived the heavy pressure to go into the break on level terms.
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Suwon started the second half just as they had finished the first and finally got the breakthrough their play deserved in the 49th minute.

Choe Yon A’s clearance hit Nishikawa and looped high into Naegohyang’s box, with Suzuki ghosting in behind An Pok Yong to strike home from close range.
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Naegohyang, however, weren’t behind for long as Choe Kum Ok rose highest to glance the ball past Kim Kyeong-hee from Ri Yu Jong’s curling free-kick in the 55th minute.
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The DPR Korea outfit turned the game on its head in the 67th minute when Mileninha skewed her attempt to clear Ri Kum Hyang’s cross, allowing Kyong Yong the chance to nod past a rooted Kyeong-hee.

Suwon had a great chance to draw level with 11 minutes of regulation time remaining after a VAR review penalised Pak Ye Gyong for fouling Jeon Min-ji but Ji sent her spot-kick wide despite goalkeeper Ju Gyong having dived the other way as Naegohyang booked their spot in Saturday’s final.

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