|
North Korea: FIFA decision favors Japan
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-03 20:33 North Korea on Friday said a FIFA decision to move
its crucial World Cup qualifying match against Japan to Thailand after soccer
violence in Pyongyang was part of a Japanese ploy to boost its chances.
Soccer's world governing body ordered North Korea to play Wednesday's home
match in a neutral country without spectators as punishment for crowd trouble
during a home defeat against Iran in March. FIFA also fined the North Korean
soccer association 20,000 Swiss francs (US$16,770; euro13,000).
North Korea grudgingly accepted the decision last month after failing to meet
FIFA deadlines to propose alternatives.
The official Korean Central News Agency quoted commentary in sports
publication Cheyuk Sinmun alleging that Japan sought the move for the game to
bolster its chances of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.
``The 'decision' of the committee helped Japan realize its strong desire and
entertain a hope. However, a hope does not mean a reality,'' the paper wrote.
``A hot match decides a winner and loser. The same is true of an international
match. It is not so easy to win a match.''
Cheyuk Sinmun quoted North Korea coach Yun Jong Su as saying his players were
determined to play well despite the venue shift.
``We are not disappointed at the results of the matches played so far, but
our players will make redoubled efforts to live up to the expectations of the
country and its people,'' he was quoted as saying.
North Korea's last World Cup appearance was in 1966 when it made a surprise
run to the quarterfinals in England.
|
 | | | Heat VS Pistons | | |  | | | David Beckham contributes to youth soccer | | |  | | | Spurs reached NBA Finals | | |
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
Today's
Top News |
|
|
|
Top Sports
News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
