Japan beats N Korea in World Cup qualifier; then N Korea cancels visit by Japan

Can't let the North Korean people know they're not as great as Broom-head dictator made them believe they are.

So this “malignant infectious disease” is enough to cancel a return match in NK, but not for them to cancel in the first place? What about their players and staff? Were they not concerned for them getting the disease and taking it home? Only Japanese players bringing it into NK?

Smacks of immaturity bad loser syndrome. What a bunch of sad people.

So childish.

Just ban them from any future tournaments. They're way too immature.

Call the game a forfeit and keep going. I wonder why Japan didn't beat them 10-0.

North Korea should not be permitted to play in international tournaments. Anyway, their team is truly awful. Bunch of amateurs.

Well played to the Samurai Blue. All the best for the return leg - which will likely now be in neutral Qatar I guess.

1-0 against North Korea, with an early goal (I mean, 90 seconds, now that’s early—which is supposed to be an “appetizer” for the rest of the match). Oh, Japan, Japan… please, wake up. As for North Korea, I agree with Speed, just ban them from any future tournaments.

The one who made the decision to cancel the return match visit must have a brittle ego.

I hope the North Korean coach doesn't get fired. I can only imagine what that might truly mean btw.

That country is from another Universe.

What happens is all the team will disappear, you can imagine what will happen to all their families too.

Sore losers.

They are definitely sore losers. But, so are other teams when they lose, too, so it's not a sole NK thing. Besides, Japan deserved to win.

So what happens now? Japan get the 3 points?

So what happens now? Japan get the 3 points?

Likely, the rematch will be played outside North Korea. If NK forfeits the game with no cause, the country should be banned from the tournament (ya gotta play by the rules, or ya don't play at all - ya can't pick and choose which rules to follow or not follow)

Kim doesn't want North Koreans to see their team getting beat by Japan on their home soil. He's afraid people questioning his so-called godhood