Malaysia’s Asian Cup qualifier against North Korea has been postponed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) who are citing ‘geopolitican tension’ as the reason behind the decision.
In a statement that was released today, the AFC said: “The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has decided that because of the geo-political tension on the Korean Peninsula the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Qualifying Final Round match between DPR Korea and Malaysia, scheduled for Pyongyang on June 8, 2017 should be postponed.
“The game will now be re-scheduled for the next best available FIFA match-day which is Thursday, October 5, 2017.
“Although the AFC had proposed on May 8, 2017 that the match – which was already postponed from March 28, 2017 – take place in the DPR Korea capital, recent developments have forced the AFC to reconsider the decision on the grounds of safety and security.
“The AFC will closely monitor the safety and security position in coming months as well as the AFC Cup match between Kigwancha SC (DPR Korea) against Erchim FC (Mongolia) to be played May 31, 2017 as well as the AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers – Group G to be hosted in Pyongyang, DPR Korea from July 19-23, 2017.
“After those matches, the AFC will make a decision of the venue for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifier on October 5, 2017.”
This effectively means that Nelo Vingada’s first match in charge of Malaysia will be against Lebanon on the 13th of June.
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