February 27, 2026Feb 27, 2026
KCNA Pyongyang Times

Cinderella club retrieves past glory

Date: 12/05/2019 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source

Especially, the Kigwancha club is on everyone’s lips as it lifted the trophy again in the wake of last year.

Each match it played from the preliminaries was a seesaw battle and it rushed on to the finals by turning the tables on its opponents. Every scene of its matches was engraved in the minds of spectators, showing what kind of club Kigwancha is.

As a matter of fact, its score was not so optimistic in the four group league matches.

It scarcely managed to enter the next stage as the runner-up in its group with two wins, one draw and one defeat.

At the time chief coach Han Won Chol told journalists: “All clubs have become stronger than in last year’s games, so we find it more difficult to win each match. But I’m pleased with this. We will strive to be stronger as much as others.” The remarks reflected his resolute determination.

The match with Ryomyong in the next stage was also a heated offensive and defensive battle. The game went into extra time, but as no goal was scored it was decided by a penalty shootout.

After beating Ryomyong by a shave, Kigwancha confronted Rimyongsu which mounts piercing dagger-like attack centring on a forward who excels in individual skill, especially scoring capacity. Therefore, the latter was seen as a “swamp” to the former.

So far, Kigwancha had been employing a tactic of breaking through the defence at both wings, but it switched to the breakthrough at the centre by two- and three-men combination and header of a ball from corner kick as it buckled down to a bold offensive. This decision came out right in the final match.

“I felt I was seeing the old ‘soccer team representing workers’. Decades ago, the football team of the Kigwancha club unfolded excellent games amid the cheers from all workers throughout the country. Kigwancha represented and still represents our workers,” said amateur An Kum Chol after seeing the match.

More From Pyongyang Times

First Politburo meeting of Ninth Central Committee of WPK held

First Politburo meeting of Ninth Central Committee of WPK held

The first meeting of the Political Bureau of the Ninth Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was held at the

February 26, 2026

The first meeting of the Political Bureau of the Ninth Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was held at the

Closing address at the Ninth Congress of the WPK

Closing address at the Ninth Congress of the WPK

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un delivered a closing address at the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Dear comrade

February 26, 2026

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un delivered a closing address at the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Dear comrade

Iran rejects US’ threat of war

Iran rejects US’ threat of war

The Iranian permanent representative to the United Nations condemned the US for its threat of war of aggression in a letter sent t

February 26, 2026

The Iranian permanent representative to the United Nations condemned the US for its threat of war of aggression in a letter sent t

Belarus defence ministry censures West for deploying armed forces

Belarus defence ministry censures West for deploying armed forces

The Belarus defence ministry on February 19 clarified to the military attachés of the embassies of 20-odd countries in its

February 26, 2026

The Belarus defence ministry on February 19 clarified to the military attachés of the embassies of 20-odd countries in its

Sci-tech festival of Kim Chaek University of Technology opens

Sci-tech festival of Kim Chaek University of Technology opens

The 39th Science and Technology Festival of Kim Chaek University of Technology opened in the DPRK. The festival's theme is "Steady

February 26, 2026

The 39th Science and Technology Festival of Kim Chaek University of Technology opened in the DPRK. The festival's theme is "Steady

Flower baskets come to Ninth Congress of WPK

Flower baskets come to Ninth Congress of WPK

The Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, the General Association of Koreans in

February 25, 2026

The Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, the General Association of Koreans in

Russian diplomats give reception on Day of Defenders of Motherland

Russian diplomats give reception on Day of Defenders of Motherland

Charge d'Affaires ad Interim Vladimir Topeha and Defence Attaché Alexei Bartusov of the Russian embassy in Pyongyang gave a

February 25, 2026

Charge d'Affaires ad Interim Vladimir Topeha and Defence Attaché Alexei Bartusov of the Russian embassy in Pyongyang gave a

Online joint seminar held in Brazil

Online joint seminar held in Brazil

An online joint seminar of Brazilian political parties and organizations took place on February 15 to mark the 84th birth

February 24, 2026

An online joint seminar of Brazilian political parties and organizations took place on February 15 to mark the 84th birth

Birthday spread sent to centenarian

Birthday spread sent to centenarian

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Ri Sil Baek, who is living in neighbourhood unit No. 45 of Junhyok-ri,

February 24, 2026

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Ri Sil Baek, who is living in neighbourhood unit No. 45 of Junhyok-ri,

Cement production goes up

Cement production goes up

Cement production units in the DPRK are striving to increase production. The Sangwon Cement Complex has carried out its daily

February 24, 2026

Cement production units in the DPRK are striving to increase production. The Sangwon Cement Complex has carried out its daily

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un elected as General Secretary of WPK

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un elected as General Secretary of WPK

A decision of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea "On Election of the General Secretary of the Workers' Party of

February 23, 2026

A decision of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea "On Election of the General Secretary of the Workers' Party of

Heads of state and government of AU gather

Heads of state and government of AU gather

The 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union was held at the headquarters of

February 23, 2026

The 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union was held at the headquarters of

Students meet with war veteran

Students meet with war veteran

Graduating class students of senior middle schools in North Phyongan Province met with a war veteran at the provincial art

February 23, 2026

Graduating class students of senior middle schools in North Phyongan Province met with a war veteran at the provincial art

WPK Rules revised at Ninth WPK Congress

WPK Rules revised at Ninth WPK Congress

A decision of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea "On the Revision of the Rules of the Workers' Party of Korea" was

February 23, 2026

A decision of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea "On the Revision of the Rules of the Workers' Party of Korea" was

More Articles