Suwon: After leading Naegohyang Women's FC to victory in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League, head coach Ri Yu-il expressed his gratitude to North Korea's ruling party for their backing. Naegohyang secured a 1-0 win against Tokyo Verdy Beleza at Suwon Stadium, with captain Kim Kyong-yong scoring the decisive goal.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Naegohyang's journey to the championship included a historic semifinal win against Suwon FC Women, marking the first encounter between women's football clubs from the two Koreas on South Korean soil. The victory earned Naegohyang the AFC title and $1 million in prize money, with Kim Kyong-yong being named the tournament's MVP.

At the post-match press conference, Ri attributed the club's success to the support from the Workers' Party of Korea. He acknowledged the party's role in helping Naegohyang, a relatively young club at 14 years, achieve the top spot in Asia. Ri expressed pride in his players for overcoming challenges and emphasized his gratitude for the support they received.

Naegohyang's participation in South Korea captured significant attention, leading to the South Korean government's purchase of tickets for civic group members to form cheering squads. Despite the attention, Ri minimized the significance of the club's visit, focusing solely on their football objectives.

Ri emphasized that the AFC title is a stepping stone for Naegohyang, expressing his ambition for the club to achieve greater success on the global stage. He concluded the press conference when a question referred to his country as "the North," reflecting North Korea's sensitivity to such terminology in international settings.