Hwacheon KSPO Loses Inter-Korean Match Against 4.25 Sports Club in AFC Women's Champions League

Hwacheon KSPO, the champion of South Korea's WK League, suffered a defeat against North Korea's 4.25 Sports Club in an inter-Korean match at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League (AWCL).

Hwacheon KSPO lost 2-1 to North Korea's 4.25 Sports Club in their opening Group B match of the 2026–2027 AWCL held on November 1 (local time) in Kolkata, India.

After conceding the opening goal to Choe Il-son in the 20th minute of the first half, KSPO brought the game back to level terms with an equalizer by Choi Yoo-jung in the 33rd minute of the second half, but ultimately fell short after allowing a late winner to Jong Bok-yong in the 43rd minute of the second half.

Making their first-ever appearance in the AWCL as last year's WK League champions, KSPO was drawn into Group B alongside 4.25 Sports Club, East Bengal (India), and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam).

KSPO will play their second match on November 4 against East Bengal, which defeated Ho Chi Minh City 2-1.

A total of 12 teams are participating in this tournament, playing a group stage across three groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarterfinals to continue competing for the title.

The AWCL is Asia's premier women's club football tournament, and this season marks its third edition.

Among South Korean WK League sides, Incheon Hyundai Steel reached the semifinals in the 2024–2025 season, and Suwon FC Women advanced to the same stage last season.

(Photo provided by Korea Women's Football Federation, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.