Japan national soccer team's match venue ``undecided'' Match against North Korea in March next year = The Japan Association is also worried because the opponent is special

On the 18th of this month, the Japan Football Association announced the schedule for the Japanese national team for each age group in 2024. The men's A national team will start with an international friendly match against Thailand on January 1st, followed by the Asian Cup, which starts on January 12th, and three games.
, will compete in the 2026 World Cup North and Central America Asia Second Qualifying Round in June, and the final qualifying round in September. However, it has been revealed that the venue for the second qualifying match against North Korea on March 21st and 26th has not been decided. Sports
According to Japanese sports newspapers such as Sports Hochi, a representative from the Japan Association said, ``Since our opponent is a special opponent, we cannot decide on our own. We are coordinating with the Japanese government and others.''
cormorant. Tokyo Sports reported, ``What will happen in the match against North Korea? There is a strong atmosphere that is fraught with international issues.''
The Asian second qualifying round began on the 16th of last month. Japan, which belongs to Group B, last month played against Myanmar and Syria.
They won both games 5-0. Japan is currently in first place in Group B. North Korea, who also belong to Group B, played against Myanmar on the 21st of last month and won easily 6-1. Qatar World Cup Asia 2 in September 2019
It was their first win in an A match in about four years and two months since their 1-0 victory over Sri Lanka in the next qualifying round. Korean media reported, ``We have taken a step toward participating in the World Cup for the first time in 16 years.'' current time
North Korea ranks second in Group B after Japan. The second Asian qualifying round will be played in a home and away format, with Japan playing against North Korea at home on March 21st and away on March 26th.
. However, the Japan Football Association announced on the 18th of this month that the venues for both games have not yet been decided. The association's national team director, Masakuni Yamamoto, said on the same day, ``It's still the final stage.''
Not decided yet. It's far away from me. It's a difficult game to adjust to. I'd like to make an announcement as soon as it's decided," he said.
Tokyo Sports, which reported on this situation, said regarding the away match, ``At this point, North Korea is basically playing from overseas.
Since North Koreans are not allowed to enter the country, one option is to hold the event in a neutral location, but South Korean media and other sources have reported that behind-the-scenes arrangements are being made in North Korea to gradually ease entry into the country from the beginning of the year.
"It is being done," he said. North Korea unilaterally decided not to participate in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
He has been suspended from participating in international tournaments until the end of 2022. With the suspension lifted, North Korea will be participating in the Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China from September to October this year, the first comprehensive international sports festival in five years.
He participated for the first time. More than 190 athletes were registered to compete in soccer, table tennis, gymnastics, shooting, and other competitions. However, in the men's soccer quarterfinal match against Japan held on October 1st,
, North Korean players made a series of dangerous plays. He also took water from the Japanese staff and made a threatening gesture. Immediately after the match, they attacked the referees, causing an uproar in the venue. North in this game
Korea was given six yellow cards in 90 minutes. The behavior of the North Korean players, which violates sportsmanship, has been reported in detail by Japan, South Korea, host country China, and the British media.
It was. Meanwhile, North Korea's coach Shin Sung-nam said at the post-match press conference, ``It's true that two or three players got a little excited,'' but added, ``If the referee isn't fair, it's a disrespect to soccer.''
It's a disgrace,'' he said, as if to justify the players' protests against the referees. On the 8th of this month, Nikkan Gendai reported, ``Japan's national soccer team is nervous about playing against North Korea next March...''
An article with the headline ``Rei'' and rough play in preparation for injury'' was published. Regarding the match against North Korea in the second round of the World Cup Asian qualifying rounds, he said, ``(Next March) we will be facing the North Korean national team on the 21st on the ground, and on the 26th on enemy territory.
However, this away game against North Korea is going to be extremely troublesome.'' The article points out, ``In the first place, frequent troubles occur both on and off the pitch in battles against North Korea on enemy territory.''
Introducing past cases. Regarding the away game against North Korea on March 26, he was concerned about ``what kind of away baptism we will be exposed to.'' However, as of now, even the venue for the match has not been decided.
Future developments regarding the Korean War will be closely watched.