PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Government has barred the national football team from playing North Korea in Pyongyang due to security reasons. Coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee's men are due to kick off their Asian Cup Group B campaign against North Korea at the Kim Il-sung Stadium in Pyongyang on March 28. "We received a letter from Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman last Thursday saying that the match venue is safe. "However, the Government's decision to expel North Korea's ambassador to Malaysia Kang Chol last Saturday has made it unsafe for Malaysians to travel to North Korea," said Hamidin. He added that FAM had written to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to request that the match be played at a neutral venue.

Source: The Star March 06, 2017 09:12 UTC