Crowds gathered at the Suwon Sports Complex in South Korea ahead of a high-profile AFC Women’s semi-final clash between North Korea’s Naegohyang Women’s Football Club and South Korea’s Suwon FC Women.
Fans were seen arriving at the stadium in large numbers as excitement built around the encounter between the rival sides. The match has drawn significant attention due to the rare sporting meeting between teams from North and South Korea, whose relations have remained tense despite occasional sporting exchanges.
Security was also heightened around the venue as supporters made their way into the stadium for the continental fixture.
Organisers say the match highlights the growing popularity of women’s football in Asia and the role of sports in fostering regional engagement.
Meanwhile, North Korea’s first sport team to visit the South in eight years reached the Asian Women’s Champions League final with Naegohyang Women FC’s 2-1 win over Suwon FC Women.
The North Korean came from behind to defeat their rivals from the South amid torrential rain in Suwon.