*This content was translated by AI.
Even in the heavy rain, there were cheers shouting "My Hometown." But there was no response in return. Japanese media also focused on this scene.
North Korea's My Hometown Women's Football Team secured a 2-1 comeback victory against South Korea's Suwon FC Women in the AFC Women's Champions League (AWCL) semi-final held at Suwon Sports Complex on the 20th.
The North Korean delegation visited South Korea for the first time in about eight years since the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour Grand Finals held in Incheon in December 2018. Furthermore, this marks the first visit by a North Korean women's football team to the South since the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, 12 years later. As this was the first-ever visit by a women's club team, interest beyond the match itself was intense.
Ahead of the match, over 200 organizations related to unification formed a joint cheering group of about 3,000 people. Some organizations even held welcome banners and greeted the My Hometown Women's Football Team upon their arrival on the 18th.
However, the atmosphere at the stadium was difficult to describe with just the term "joint cheering."
As heavy rain poured down, the cheering group occasionally chanted the name of the North Korean team, "My Hometown." Especially as cheers for the My Hometown Women's Football Team became prominent from the first half, it led to scenes that could only be bitter for Suwon FC Women.
After the match, Suwon FC Women's head coach Park Gil-young shed tears, expressing regret: "We are a South Korean football team. We were upset and felt this way for various reasons."
However, the My Hometown Women's Football Team did not even glance at the calls from the joint cheering group. Japan also took note of this.
Japanese news agency Kyodo reported, "This is the first time a North Korean sports team has visited South Korea to play a match since December 2018. North Korea established a policy in 2023 to no longer regard South Korea as a fellow nation but as an enemy state. Thus, they entered as a 'hostile country.'" The report continued, "South Korean organizations related to unification formed a cheering group of about 3,000 people, praying for 'fair play and peace.' Even amidst heavy rain, cheers shouting 'My Hometown' were heard."
The media further stated, "There were also criticisms regarding the politicization of sports. However, the South Korean Ministry of Unification provided 300 million won in support." It also pointed out, "However, the My Hometown Women's Football Team celebrated by hugging each other, leaving behind the heads-down Suwon FC players. There was no scene of the two teams interacting after the match. The My Hometown Women's Football Team left the field without even greeting the cheering section."
Earlier, the My Hometown Women's Football Team left the airport in just three minutes, ignoring the welcome greetings from organizations related to unification at the arrival hall. This time, they left only a cold reaction.
Meanwhile, the My Hometown Women's Football Team, which advanced to the final, will compete for the championship trophy against Tokyo Verdy (Japan) at the same venue on the 23rd. Tokyo Verdy defeated Melbourne City (Australia) in the semi-finals.
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*This content was translated by AI.
