The 2017 Hwaebul Cup was the fifth edition of the Hwaebul Cup (ðë¶Â, Torch) football competition, celebrating North Korea's Youth Day. The competition was held between 27 July and 28 August 2017, with all matches played at the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in P'yà Ângyang. The competition was arranged in two phases, a group stage followed by a single-elimination play-off semi-finals, and a single-game final. Sobaeksu Sports Club won the competition for the first time, as the defending champion, April 25, were not entered into the competition due to their taking part in the 2017 AFC Cup. Ryà Âmyà Âng finished second, whilst Hwaebul and Kigwancha placed third and fourth respectively.
Twelve teams took part in the group stage: Hwaebul, Jebi, Kalmaegi, Kyà Ânggong'à Âp, Ryà Âmyà Âng, and Sà Ânbong in Group A, along with Kigwancha, P'yà Ângyang City, Sobaeksu and three other clubs in Group B. Ryà Âmyà Âng won Group A with three wins and two losses and fourteen goals scored, whilst Hwaebul finished second in the group; Sobaeksu won Group B, whilst Kigwancha finished second. Kyà Ânggong'à Âp finished third in Group A.
The top two finishers in each group advanced to the semi-finals, with the first-placed team in Group A playing the second-placed team in Group B, and vice versa. As such, Ryà Âmyà Âng met with Kigwancha, and Sobaeksu played Hwaebul. Both matches were played on 23 August
The final was played at Rungrado 1 May Stadium on 28 August between Ryà Âmyà Âng and Sobaeksu, the winners of Group A and Group B respectively. Ryà Âmyà Âng started the game with a 4âÂÂ4âÂÂ2 formation and an attacking mindset, looking to defend by keep Sobaeksu contained in their own end. The first half ended scoreless, so both teams attempted to intensify their game in the second half. Sobaeksu, taking advantage of their physical fitness and better technical ability, created several worthwhile chances at the start of the half. However, Ryà Âmyà Âng seized an opportunity to counter, and No. 10 opened the scoring with a long-range shot in the 56th minute. Six minutes from full time, Sobaeksu made a break up the left wing, and No. 9 pounced on No. 8's cross into the box to equalise and send the match into extra time. In the 8th minute of extra time, Ryomyong's No. 14 was sent off, but despite the numerical disadvantage, they continued to press their attack. However, in the 21st minute they turned the ball over on a misplayed pass, and scored the winning goal on a quick counter-attack, giving Sobaeksu the win and their first Hwaebul Cup title.