Soccer-North Korea's Naegohyang down Suwon to set up Tokyo Verdy final clash

North Korea's Naegohyang Women's FC will ​take on Tokyo Verdy Beleza ​in the Asian women's Champions ‌League ​final on Saturday after securing a 2-1 win over South Korean hosts Suwon FC on Wednesday. Second-half goals ‌from Choe Kum-ok and Kim Kyung-yong set up a meeting with the Japanese side, who eliminated defending champions Melbourne City 3-1.

The Naegohyang goal led a charmed ‌life with both Haruhi Suzuki and Mileninha hitting the woodwork in ‌the first half before Suwon took the lead when Suzuki flicked her 49th-minute effort past Pak Ju Gyong. The North Koreans levelled six minutes later when Choe rose highest to glance ⁠Ri ​Yu-jong's free kick ⁠beyond Kim Kyung-hee.

Twelve minutes later Naegohyang went in front, captain Kim making the most of ⁠the Suwon defence's inability to clear a high ball to steer her header into ​the bottom corner. A missed penalty by former Chelsea forward Ji So-yun in ⁠the 78th minute ensured the North Koreans advanced to Saturday's final, where they will take ⁠on ​Tokyo Verdy Beleza.

The Japanese raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening 10 minutes against Melbourne City with close-range finishes from Yuzuho Shiokoshi ⁠and Miharu Shinjo. Aideen Keane halved the deficit eight minutes before the interval but ⁠Shiokoshi netted ⁠her second of the game in the 78th minute when she pounced on a rebound after Malena Mieres had ‌saved Shinjo's ‌attempt from distance.

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