FIFA Cancels World Cup North Korea-Japan 'Pyongyang Match'

FIFA said on Monday (Korea Standard Time) that the fourth round of the second Asian qualifying round for the World Cup between Japan and North Korea was canceled. "The schedule will not be rescheduled or re-run," adding that North Korea has not been able to set a new date for the match due to the postponement of the match as well as the alternative stadium.

As a result, FIFA referred North Korea to the disciplinary committee and confirmed that Japan's 3-0 forfeiture victory in the Pyongyang away game.

Japan secured 12 points by winning without an away match in Pyongyang and confirmed its advance to the final qualifying round regardless of the results of the remaining two games in the second qualifying round.

On the other hand, North Korea ranked third with three points (1 win and 3 losses) due to its forfeiture.

North Korea may fall to the bottom of the table depending on the results of the match between Syria (four points) and Myanmar (one point) scheduled on the 26th.

It became unclear whether the Pyongyang match between North Korea and Japan would be held immediately after the third game between the two teams in Tokyo on the 21st.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on its website on the 22nd, "The match between North Korea and Japan scheduled for the 26th will not be held as scheduled due to unexpected circumstances," adding, "The decision was made after North Korea was informed on the 20th that the venue should be moved to a neutral area due to unavoidable circumstances."

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