Pyongyang: North Korea's women's football team Naegohyang received a grand welcome home ceremony in Pyongyang after winning a recent regional tournament, state media reported Wednesday. Players were greeted Tuesday by government and sports officials, as well as family members, at the airport, before their bus made its way through Pyongyang streets lined with cheering, flag-waving citizens.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) highlighted the warm reception, while the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, reported the team's return with photos of players holding bouquets of flowers. North Korea's state media celebrated the team's victory at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League but did not mention the venue. The semifinals and final were held in Suwon, near Seoul, last week.

The players left South Korea for China on Sunday before returning to Pyongyang, maintaining a restrained demeanor in what appeared to be a carefully staged display amid strained inter-Korean ties. Additionally, North Korea secured a win in the AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup earlier this month, claiming the title for the fifth time, more than any other nation.