The Buzz | After missile tests, North Korea’s Asian Cup qualifier postponed

North Korea’s match against Malaysia in 2019 Asian Cup qualifying has been postponed a second time amid new missile tests by the host nation.

The Asian Football Confederation says the June 8 game, itself postponed from March 28, could be played on Oct. 5.

Still, the AFC did not commit to playing in Pyongyang. A neutral venue could be ordered. The Asian soccer body cited security risks caused by “geo-political tension on the Korean Peninsula” for the latest postponement.

The first delay followed an investigation into the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s estranged half-brother in Kuala Lumpur.

The teams are in a four-nation Asian Cup qualifying group that also includes Lebanon and Hong Kong.

Categories Asia-Pacific