After being postponed several times due to Malaysia’s prohibition of their citizens to travel to North Korea, the game, designated to be hosted in Pyongyang, was finally carried on at the Thai north eastern city. After losing their first meet in the Asian Games bronze medal play-off in Teharan in 1974, North Korea have beaten Malaysia eight straight times including the Friday’s match. After allowing the opponents to widen the gap to 4-0 by Jong il Gwan in the 59th minute, Malaysia finally stopped the bleeding in the 66th minute by a shot from Muhammad Safawi Rasid. His team will enter the return leg on Monday as the favourites and another win shall put North Korea back on track to qualify for the Finals. The two sides will resume their rivalry on Monday at this same venue which is supposed to be the home games for Malaysia.

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 11, 2017 01:30 UTC