Mongolian Erchim FC will play against North Korea’s Hwaebul Sports Club at home on 13 February. Exactly one week later, the team will travel to North Korea for an away fixture. Both games are part of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup championship.

Erchim FC has become champion of the  Khurkhree National Premier League for 11 times since it was founded in 1996.  

Hwaebul SC is a multi-sport club from Pochonbo, Ryanggang Province, North Korea that was founded in May 2013. The club has experienced a large amount of success in its short history. In addition to its second place finish in the 2017 DPR Korea League, it earned a third place finish in its first year in the league; won the league one year later; and has earned several other smaller cup victories.  Despite the club’s 2014 championship, this will be Hwaebul SC’s first time participating in an AFC competition.