Suwon FC Women Lose 2-1 to North Korea's Naegohyang, Miss Out on AWCL Final

Ji Soyoun Misses Crucial Penalty Kick
Golden Chance to Equalize Slips Away

Suwon FC Women of the WK League, South Korea's professional women's football league, failed to advance to the final of the 2025–2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League (AWCL) after being blocked by North Korea's Naegohyang Women's Football Club.

On May 20 at Suwon Comprehensive Stadium, Suwon FC Women suffered a 2-1 come-from-behind defeat to Naegohyang in the AWCL semi-finals. Suwon FC Women took the lead four minutes into the second half with a clever goal from Haruhi, but fell behind after conceding back-to-back headers to Choe Kumok in the 10th minute and Kim Kyongyong in the 22nd minute of the second half. Substitute Jeon Minji earned a penalty kick for Suwon in the 30th minute of the second half, providing a golden opportunity to equalize, but Ji Soyoun missed the shot, and the team ultimately could not overcome the one-goal deficit. Although Suwon FC Women dominated much of the match, their lack of finishing ability proved costly.

Ji Soyeon of Suwon FC Women is seen covering her face in disappointment after missing a penalty kick during the AFC Women's Champions League (AWCL) semifinal match against Naegohyang Women's Football Club held on the 20th at Suwon Sports Complex in Jangan-gu, Suwon. Photo by Yonhap News

Suwon FC Women launched an aggressive attack from the early minutes. Just two minutes in, Han Dain opened fire with a right-footed shot from mid-range, but the ball missed the target.

Naegohyang immediately counterattacked. In the fifth minute, Kim Kyongyong found the net for Suwon FC Women, but the goal was ruled offside.

Afterwards, Suwon FC Women took control of the game. In the 20th minute, Yoon Sujeong delivered a sharp cross from the right, which Haruhi headed powerfully, but the ball struck the right post and bounced away.

In the 25th minute, Haruhi earned a foul just outside the penalty arc. Ji Soyoun took the direct free kick, but her shot sailed over the crossbar.

In the 35th minute, on a counterattack, Kim Hyeri attempted a powerful long-range shot, but the ball went over the goal.

Another crucial opportunity was missed in the 38th minute. Ayaka sent in a cross from the left, which Yoon Sujeong connected with a header, but North Korean goalkeeper Pak Jugyong made a save with her trailing foot.

Suwon FC Women recorded a first-half possession rate of 56% and outshot their opponents 10 to 1, but still could not find the back of the net against North Korea.

As soon as the second half began, the long-awaited goal arrived. A North Korean defender tried to clear the ball, but it ricocheted off a Suwon player and popped high into the air. Haruhi reached the ball before North Korean goalkeeper Pak Jugyong and slotted it into the net.

Players of the North Korea Naegohyang Women's Football Team cheer after their 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Suwon FC Women in the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League (AWCL) held on the 20th at Suwon Sports Complex in Jangan-gu, Suwon. Photo by Yonhap News.

However, Naegohyang equalized just six minutes later. Choe Kumok headed in a sharp free kick from Lee Yujeong to level the score. In the 22nd minute of the second half, another header from Kim Kyongyong found the net for Naegohyang. Suwon FC Women’s Mileninha failed to clear the ball inside the penalty box, and Kim Kyongyong finished with a header from the high ball.

Suwon FC Women earned a penalty kick in the 33rd minute of the second half, providing a decisive chance to equalize. However, in the pouring rain, Ji Soyoun’s shot went wide of the left post, leaving her head bowed in disappointment.

Suwon FC Women had previously suffered a 3-0 defeat to Naegohyang in the Group C stage last November, and once again fell short against their North Korean rivals. Despite strengthening their squad earlier this year with players like Ji Soyoun and Kim Hyeri, and displaying far superior performance compared to the group stage, their lack of finishing cost them dearly in the end.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.