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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Seong-Bin Kang and Kim Tong-Hyung

North Korean soccer team beats South Korean hosts in rare match between divided countries

South Korea AFC Women Champions League Soccer - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Drenched in rain, hundreds of South Koreans cheered the North Korean visitors during a rare soccer match between the divided countries Wednesday as Pyongyang-based Naegohyang Women’s FC defeated host Suwon 2-1 against the backdrop of political tensions.

The win locked Naegohyang into another match in South Korea, a final Saturday against Tokyo Verdy Beleza, which defeated Melbourne City 3-1 in the other semifinal of the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League.

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