SUWON (South Korea), May 20: Drenched in rain, hundreds of South Koreans cheered the North Korean visitors during a rare football 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.
While athletes from North and South Korea have previously competed on combined teams and marched together in Olympic ceremonies during periods of warmer ties, such exchanges have largely disappeared in recent years as relations between the rivals deteriorated over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.
Naegohyang has drawn intense media attention since its 39 players and staff arrived in South Korea on Sunday on a flight from China. (AP)
