KUALA LUMPUR (18 May 2017) – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have decided that because of the geo-political tension on the Korean Peninsula the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Qualifying Final Round match between DPR Korea and Malaysia, scheduled for Pyongyang on 8 June, 2017 should be postponed.
The game will now be re-scheduled for the next best available FIFA match-day which is Thursday, 5 October, 2017.
Although the AFC had proposed on 8 May, 2017 that the match – which was already postponed from 28 March, 2017 – take place in the DPR Korea capital, recent developments have forced the AFC to reconsider the decision on the grounds of safety and security.
The AFC will closely monitor the safety and security position in coming months as well as the AFC Cup match between Kigwancha SC (DPR Korea) against Erchim FC (Mongolia) to be played 31 May, 2017 as well as the AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers – Group G to be hosted in Pyongyang, DPR Korea from 19-23 July, 2017.
After those matches, the AFC will make a decision of the venue for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifier on 5 October, 2017.
