Malaysia-N.Korea match postponed again to October

KUALA LUMPUR: An Asian Cup qualifier between Malaysia and North Korea has been postponed a second time to October due to security concerns, with the venue still to be decided, Asian football's governing body said Wednesday.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had scheduled the match for June 8 in Pyongyang but said in a statement that it should be postponed "because of the geo-political tension on the Korean Peninsula".
"The game will now be re-scheduled for the next best available FIFA match-day which is Thursday, Oct 5, 2017," the statement said. "The AFC will closely monitor the safety and security position in coming months."
The venue will be decided after an AFC Cup match in Pyongyang between North Korean club Kigwancha SC and Erchim FC of Mongolia on May 31, as well as the AFC Under 23 Championship qualifiers also in the North Korean capital from July 19-23.
"After those matches, the AFC will make a decision of the venue for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifier on Oct 5, 2017," the statement added.
Hamidin Mohamad Amin, Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general, told AFP that the group welcomes "the wise move" by AFC to postpone the match again.
"I thank AFC and in particular its secretary-general Windsor John for making a good decision."
FAM President Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim last week said he was worried about players being deliberately poisoned if their qualifier goes ahead in Pyongyang.
The match, originally scheduled for March 28, was postponed during a furious diplomatic row over the murder of the North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's half-brother in Malaysia in February.
The killing of Kim Jong-Nam sparked a crisis which saw both countries banning each other's citizens from leaving, and withdrawing their ambassadors. Tensions have since cooled down.
South Korea accuses the North of masterminding the murder, which was carried out using a towel soaked with nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur international airport. Malaysian police have named several North Korean suspects.
The Malaysian football body lodged an appeal last week against the decision to stage the match in Pyongyang.
Malaysia face forfeiting the match 3-0 if they refuse to play what is their first fixture in the 2019 Asian Cup's final round of qualifying. — AFP