WK League News

The 24th annual National Women’s Football Championship (전국여자축구선수권대회) is currently underway, with 62 teams from across Korea gathered at Changnyeong Sports Park to battle it out for their respective age group accolades.

Unlike at the recent Queen’s Cup, which got rid of its senior division when the WK League was established, the pros are in action at the National Championship. The eight WK League teams have been playing their group stage matches over the last few days, and now only the semi-finals and grand final remain.

When the tournament draw was first announced, followers of the WK League were quick to start referring to Group 1 as a ‘group of death’, with Mungyeong Sangmu the unfortunate underdogs drawn against high-performing Hwacheon KSPO, Gyeongju KHNP, and Incheon Hyundai. Group 2, meanwhile, seemed like an opportunity for Seoul City to sail through to the semis. Currently in second place in the WK League table, Seoul have been enjoying a fantastic season so far, and the same could not be said for group-mates Changnyeong WFC, Suwon FC, and Sejong Sportstoto.

Group 1

Group 1 offered plenty of interest, with star summer signings Choe Yuri (Incheon Hyundai), Lee Youngju and Emi Nakajima (both Gyeongju KHNP) taking to the pitch for the first time in their new uniforms alongside WK League veterans and rookies alike. This tournament offers an opportunity for some of the teams’ newer recruits (and/or third goalkeepers) to gain experience, and for managers and coaches to experiment with their lineups away from the pressure of the league. Results in Group 1 were largely predictable, with Gyeongju and Hwacheon picking up two wins each before their match against each other last night. Hwacheon took the early lead but in a dramatic twist, Gyeongju captain Jang Selgi scored two brilliant goals in second half injury time to send her team into the semi-finals as group winners.

Group 1 results:
1. Gyeongju KHNP (3W 0D 0L)
2. Hwacheon KSPO (2W 0D 1L)
3. Incheon Hyundai (0W 1D 2L)
4. Mungyeong Sangmu (0W 1D 2L)

Group 2

Meanwhile in Group 2, favourites Seoul suffered a first-day upset at the hands of Sejong Sportstoto. Sejong built on this momentum, going on to win all of their matches to secure a semi-final against Group 1 runners-up Hwacheon KSPO. In contrast, Changnyeong WFC failed to win any of their games — even the one goal recorded in their favour was an own goal by Sejong, although Changnyeong’s Lee Eunyoung deserves at least some credit for forcing the error. With a win and a loss each, Seoul and Suwon’s meeting in the final round of the group stage was a battle to stay in the competition. The match ended in a draw thanks to a last-minute goal from Suwon’s Seo Yejin, with the team’s superior goal difference sending them into the semi-finals, and the Amazones back to Seoul. As group runners-up, Suwon will meet old rivals Gyeongju KHNP in their semi-final this Wednesday.

Group 2 results:
1. Sejong Sportstoto (3W 0D 0L)
2. Suwon FC Women (1W 1D 1L)
3. Seoul City Amazones (1W 1D 1L)
4. Changnyeong WFC (0W 0D 3L)

Predictions

Semi-final 1: Gyeongju KHNP v. Suwon FC (19:00, Wednesday 6th August)
Gyeongju and Suwon have arguably the most famous (or perhaps infamous) rivalry of the WK League, having met in the championship play-off match six times in the eight seasons since KHNP joined the league. Based on recent form and their high profile new additions, Gyeongju should progress to the final, but Suwon FC will make them fight for it — the team are struggling in the league and this tournament is their only chance of silverware this season. Regardless of the eventual outcome of the final, a win against Gyeongju on Wednesday would be a confidence booster for Suwon and their fans as they look ahead to their AWCL campaign.

Prediction: Gyeongju KHNP 3-1 Suwon FC

Semi-final 2: Sejong Sportstoto v. Hwacheon KSPO (21:00, Wednesday 6th August)

Sejong have proved themselves worthy competitors in the group stage, as they also seek to save their season with a tournament trophy. They’re not having a bad season per se, but Sportstoto are still a long way off their stated aim of making it to this year’s championship playoff. Sejong were runners-up in this tournament last year, and going one better this time around would be by far the highlight of their 2025 season. To get there, however, they will first have to see off Hwacheon KSPO, no easy feat. With a stable, high-calibre squad, Hwacheon have made themselves very difficult to beat this season in the league. After a frustrating loss in their previous match, KSPO will be seeking a routine victory against Sejong to set the stage for a chance to get their own back on Gyeongju in the final.

Prediction: Sejong Sportstoto 0-2 Hwacheon KSPO

Final: ? v. ? (19:00, Friday 8th August)

In the mix are two teams who are gunning for the WK League title and hoping to make it a double, and two teams for whom tournament victory could become the most memorable thing about the 2024 season. If Gyeongju and Hwacheon do indeed meet in the final, we can expect to see a tense and fast-paced grudge match, with something more akin to their regular starting elevens, rather than the somewhat rotated squads seen in the group stage.

The semi-finals and final are set to take place this Wednesday and Friday at Pitch 4 of Changnyeong Sports Park, but do keep an eye on KWFF social media channels in case of pitch changes or schedule alterations. In between times, there’s plenty more football to see as Korea’s youth teams compete in the age group categories of the championship — if you can’t make it to Changnyeong to watch live, all matches are being streamed via iTop21Sports on YouTube.