The coach of a North Korean women's soccer team pushed back Friday against suggestions his side plays overly physical soccer, one day before the final of a regional tournament.

No North Korean sports delegation has competed on southern soil since 2018, with no soccer game between the two in the South in 12 years.

North Korea's first sports team to visit the South in eight years reached the Asian Women's Champions League final on Wednesday as Naegohyang Women's FC beat Suwon FC Women 2-1.