Moment of the Comeback Victory

On 20th, at Suwon Comprehensive Sports Complex, North Korea's Inner Home Women's Football Team defeated Suwon FC Women 2-1 in the AFC Women's Champions League (AWCL) semi-final, securing a direct spot in the final. Despite yielding control throughout the first half, Inner Home conceded an early goal to Suwon FC's Haruhi just four minutes into the second half. However, they quickly equalized six minutes later when Ri Yujung's left-footed free kick was converted into a goal by Choe Kyoung-ok via a header. Then, in the 22nd minute of the second half, Kim Kyong-yeong capitalized on a critical defensive error by Suwon FC to score the winning header goal. Maintaining intense focus until the final whistle, Inner Home secured victory in the first North-South women's football match in 12 years, signaling their determination to surpass Asia's top club teams.

Coach's Reflection and Respect for Opponent

After the match, Inner Home head coach Ri Yui-il said in a press conference, "Despite heavy rain and playing on the opponent's home field, the players showed remarkable concentration. I am pleased as a coach that they managed the game well until the end to uphold the team's pride." He praised Suwon FC, stating, "Any team reaching the semi-finals is strong enough to compete at the top level. Suwon FC has many players with abundant match experience and exceptional talent." He also acknowledged, "Our team lacks experience and is relatively young. But we hope this tournament becomes a stepping stone for us to rise to the next level."

Fan Support and Player Reactions

Despite the harsh weather, the stadium was packed with 5,763 out of 7,087 tickets sold, creating a passionate atmosphere of support. Coach Ri noted, "I was so focused on the game that I didn't fully realize the fans' energy, but I felt how deeply the audience cares about football." After the match, the Inner Home players exited the mixed zone silently, walking straight to the bus with stiff expressions, avoiding all media questions and staring at the ground as they hurried away.

Final Opponent and Schedule

With this victory, Inner Home will face Japan's Tokyo Verdy Belles in the final on 23rd at the same venue. The AWCL is Asia's premier women's club football competition, and this season marks its second edition. The winning team will receive $1 million (approximately 14 billion KRW), while the runner-up will earn $500,000. Coach Ri stated, "The first match of any tournament is always difficult and full of challenges. We will focus on training for the remaining time to deliver a better performance in the final," expressing determination to improve.