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The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) had made a request
not to play the March 28 fixture in the North Korean capital
under pressure from its government following the recent
breakdown in relations between the two countries.
The countries have become embroiled in a growing row after
Malaysia accused North Korea of assassinating Kim Jong Nam, the
estranged half-brother of Pyongyang ruler Kim Jong Un, at Kuala
Lumpur International Airport on Feb. 13.
"The Asian Football Confederation Competitions Committee have
today decided to postpone the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Final Round
Qualifier between DPR Korea and Malaysia," the regional
governing body said in a statement.
"The match was scheduled to be played in the DPR Korea capital
Pyongyang on March 28... but the AFC Competitions Committee have
taken the decision to postpone the tie after escalating
diplomatic tension between the Governments of DPR Korea and
Malaysia.
"A new date for the game will be announced in due course."
The two nations were due to open the final phase of qualifying
for the Asian Cup finals hosted by the United Arab Emirates with
a Group B encounter at Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung Stadium.
FAM reacted by releasing a statement saying the AFC had acted
appropriately given tensions had yet to subside.
"FAM welcomes the decision made by the AFC because it is seen as
the most appropriate measures for the safety of the players and
team officials," the association said.
Hong Kong and Lebanon will also play in North Korea during
qualifying for the 2019 Asian Cup, the continent's equivalent of
the European Championships.
Hong Kong FA chief executive Mark Sutcliffe on Thursday also
called for the match to postponed, adding that the tie could be
played in Pyongyang at a later date when relations between the
countries had improved.
Despite the postponement of the North Korea tie, Malaysia still
plan to travel to the Philippines for an international friendly
against their Southeast Asian neighbors at the Rizal Memorial
Stadium in Manila on March 22.
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Bengaluru; Editing by John
O'Brien)
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