sports

The third-round matches of the 2024-2025 DPRK Premier League are being played fiercely.

Unexpected results were recorded in many matches.

It is noticeable that many games ended in a draw compared to the last premier league.

After the third-round competition began, 16 matches were played, seven of them ending in a draw.

Those matches between the Ryomyong and Sonbong teams and Kigwancha and Hwaeppul teams also ended in a tie.

The Ryomyong Team played the game in a way of breaking through the side and half side with fast speed by enhancing the roles of the backs and half-backs and passing the ball to the forwards.

The Sonbong Team created opportunities for scoring by passing through the midfield with surprise attack while strengthening the man-to-man defence with a five-person defence line.

The players of both teams often tried shots in the penalty areas but failed to score a goal.

The Kigwancha and Hwaeppul teams had competed three times this year before the recent match. They tied 1-1 in the first round, Kigwancha beat Hwaeppul 2-0 in the second round and Hwaeppul defeated Kigwancha 2-1 in the playoff of senior men's first-, second- and third-division soccer finals of the 14th National People's Games. The Premier League results showed that Hwaeppul won 34 points with nine wins, seven ties and eight defeats in 24 matches and Kigwancha gained 32 points with eight wins, eight draws and eight defeats in 24 matches.

As the result of this match would affect their rankings, the two teams ran the match with fast speed from the beginning.

The Kigwancha scored the opening goal by increasing the ball possession with close combination between players and advancing to the attack line with fast speed.

The Hwaeppul tried to make up for the loss and got the equalizer by scoring a penalty goal in the 83rd minute.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Hwaeppul and Kigwancha increasing their points to 35 and 33 respectively.

Meanwhile, there was a match between the Pyongyang and Sobaeksu teams according to the programme of the third-round matches of the 2024-2025 DPRK Women’s Premier League.

In the match the two teams attempted a goal-in in the goal area based on side and half-side breaks, while attaching importance to defence.

After the goalless first half, the two teams picked up attack speed in the second half.

The Sobaeksu scored the opener 30 seconds into the second half, but allowed an equalizer to the Pyongyang in the 55th minute. And the latter shot the second goal into the net in a goalmouth melee in the 82nd minute.

The Pyongyang team won the match 2-1.