The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have decided that the Asian Cup Final Round Qualifiers Group B matches between DPR Korea and Malaysia will both be played at a neutral venue in November.
The original match day 1 fixture had been postponed firstly because of raised political tensions between Malaysia and DPR Korea and subsequently because of a ban by the Malaysian Government on its citizens travelling to DPR Korea.
In the interests of competition fairness, it has been decided that both matches between the two countries will be played at the same neutral venue, with the DPR Korea ‘home’ match taking place on November 10 and the return fixture – Malaysia’s ‘home’ game – on November 13.
The order of matches has been maintained as the previously announced sequence to protect the sporting integrity of the competition. AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John said: “We are pleased that the two Member Associations, after much discussion, have been agreeable to this arrangement.
“Playing the games in this way, and in this order, helps us protect the sporting principles of the Asian Cup Final Qualifying Round.”
