Seoul: North Korean state media reported Sunday that a North Korean women's football club won Asia's top tournament, while avoiding any mention that the final was held in South Korea.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced that Naegohyang Women's FC clinched the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League title, defeating Tokyo Verdy Beleze 1-0 in the final.

The KCNA stated that the North Korean players received the championship trophy and gold medals, and Kim Kyong-yong, the team captain, was named the tournament's most valuable player. However, the report omitted the location of the final match, which took place at Suwon Stadium in Suwon, approximately 30 kilometers south of Seoul, on Saturday.

State media previously reported on Thursday that the semifinal venue was "in South Korea" when covering the North Korean women's team's victory over a South Korean team the day before. Yet, none of North Korea's tournament coverage included details about the atmosphere at the stadium, such as cheers from an inter-Korean joint cheering squad organized by South Korean civic groups.

The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the ruling Workers' Party and one of the few publications accessible to ordinary North Koreans, also highlighted the women's team's victory without mentioning the venue. The state outlet described the win as "proud achievements" that provided "confidence" and significant encouragement to North Koreans.

The newspaper published photos of Naegohyang players lifting the trophy and posing for commemorative photos while holding the North Korean flag after the awards ceremony, as well as Kim receiving the MVP award.