Fearing an infectious disease in Japan, North Korea decided not to hold the World Cup qualifiers in Pyongyang
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Friday (March 22) that the World Cup qualifier between North Korea and Japan, which was scheduled to be held in Pyongyang next Tuesday (26), was canceled due to "unforeseen circumstances". Japan's Kyodo News Agency quoted Japanese FA Chairman Kozo Tajima as saying on Thursday (21st) evening that North Korea will not host the World Cup qualifiers scheduled to be held in Pyongyang next Tuesday.
With a goal from Bi Tanaka (front), Japan thrashed North Korea by one goal in the World Cup qualifiers on Thursday (March 21) night.
After Japan defeated North Korea 1-0 in another qualifier in Tokyo on Thursday, Kozo Tajima was quoted by Kyodo News as saying: "Pyongyang will not host the tournament." The AFC informed the Japanese FA this month that the match between the two countries would be held next Tuesday in the capital, Pyongyang, but North Korea, which does not have official diplomatic relations with Tokyo, decided not to hold the match in Pyongyang due to concerns about infectious diseases in Japan.
AFC secretary-general John told AFP on Friday afternoon that the match would be held at a neutral venue next Tuesday and that "normally, it is the responsibility of the host team to nominate a neutral venue, otherwise the AFC will nominate it".
Captain Itakura, who was criticized in the Asian Cup, also regained his strength, and as the core of the defense, he made a big contribution to the completion of North Korea
The AFC later issued a statement saying: "The match between North Korea and Japan, originally scheduled for March 26, will not take place due to unforeseen circumstances. ”
The last time North Korea hosted a men's international tournament in Pyongyang was during the 2019 World Cup qualifiers in Qatar. North Korea has since withdrawn from the World Cup, citing health problems related to the coronavirus. North Korea was also scheduled to play a World Cup qualifier against Syria and Myanmar at Pyongyang's home stadium in June.
The Asian Football Confederation informed the Japanese FA this month that the match between the two countries would be held next Tuesday in the capital, Pyongyang, but North Korea, which does not have formal diplomatic relations with Tokyo, decided not to hold the match in Pyongyang due to concerns about infectious diseases in Japan.
Last month, the women's play-off between Japan and North Korea was held at a neutral venue in Saudi Arabia from Pyongyang.