Naegohyang Women’s FC advanced to the second round of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2027 after a Kim Kyong Yong-inspired 2-0 victory over Auckland United FC on Sunday.
The Asian champions emerged as worthy winners at the Shangcheng Sports Centre Stadium and now advance to a second-round fixture in December against yet-to-be-determined African counterparts.
The deadlock was broken after 17 minutes when Kim Hye Yong broke down the right wing, burst past her marker and drilled over a low cross for Kim. The Naegohyang captain still had work to do but twisted her body expertly and directed a first-time snapshot into the bottom-right corner.
Auckland United were struggling to break out of their own half at this stage and survived two further scares, with headers from Ri Myong Gum and goalscorer Kim finding the net – only to be ruled out for offside.
The New Zealanders had lost 1-0 to Wuhan Jiangda WFC at the same stage of last season’s Women’s Champions Cup, and came out fighting in the second half in an attempt to avoid the same fate. Rena Okutsu went closest for them, curling a clever free-kick into the side-netting, although Naegohyang remained the game’s dominant force.
Only a goal-saving clearance from Yume Harashima prevented Ri Kum Hyang putting the Koreans out of sight, and Yong Kum became the third Naegohyang player to find the target only for the assistant referee’s flag to cut short her celebrations.
The outcome was settled two minutes from time, however, and it was captain Kim who again provided the inspiration, ghosting in to fire into the roof of the net and end Auckland’s hopes.
