Ruptly
"The historic arrival of the DPRK’s Naegohyang Women’s FC in Suwon for Wednesday's AFC Women’s Champions League semifinal ignited immense public interest, prompting a swift sell-out of the Suwon Sports Complex and culminating in a 2-1 comeback victory for the visitors. Footage captured on Wednesday shows DPRK players and officials leaving the hotel by team bus ahead of the match, while spectators expressed hopes for a friendly, peaceful encounter. “I came to watch the match between the DPRK and South Korean teams. I hope it will be a game of peace and unity, and that the North Korean players avoid playing too aggressively,” a defector shared ahead of the match. This match marked the first visit by a sports team from the DPRK since 2018, highlighting not only athletic competition but also drawing attention amid strained inter-Korean relations. Another fan, Park Me-ja, said, “I came through a cultural exchange programme at the Inter-Korean Cultural Centre, and I’m here today to support the DPRK team.” With general admission tickets selling out almost immediately, intense local interest was clear, though torrential rain on the night left some uncovered sections of the stadium empty. On the pitch, Suwon took the lead early in the second half through Haruhi Suzuki. However, Naegohyang responded rapidly with a header from Choe Kum Ok before captain Kim Kyong Yong secured the winning goal in the 67th minute, booking the Pyongyang-based side a spot in Saturday's final against Japan's Tokyo Verdy Beleza. "
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