[theold]

North Korean officials "told us that the game cannot go ahead in Pyongyang", Kozo Tashima said after the two sides met in a first qualifier in Tokyo, which Japan won 1-0.

"They asked us during half-time if we can organise (it) in Japan," local media quoted Tashima as saying.

"I told them it was so sudden and that I cannot give them an immediate yes.

https://www.rfi.fr/en/sports/20240321-no...v2-EIYgkfB