DPRK supporters celebrate after DPRK beat Malaysia during their Asian Cup qualifiers soccer match at Thunder castle stadium in Buriram province, Thailand Nov 10, 2017. (AP PHOTO / SAKCHAI LALIT)
BURIRAM, Thailand - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) moved into second place in its Asian Cup qualifying group by beating Malaysia 4-1 on neutral turf in Thailand on Friday, finally starting a series that has been postponed three times.
The Asian Football Confederation intervened to ensure the match was played Thailand because of political tensions between DPRK and Malaysia.
Pak Kwang-ryong gave DPRK the lead 12th minute from the penalty spot, and Kim Yu-song made it 2-0 in the 42nd. Kim Yong-il scored in the 48th and Jong il Gwan made it 4-1 in the 59th.
Muhammad Safawi Rasid pulled one back for Malaysia in the 67th.
"Of course, it's very stressing that three games were postponed and that we cannot play at home first match against Malaysia," DPRK head coach Jorn Anderson said. "But ... the situations are like that. We have two matches here. We have to do it. The first match we win. And we are very satisfied."
DPRK's Kang Kuk-chol (left) and Malaysia's Hazwan Bakri battle for the ball during their Asian Cup qualifiers soccer match at Thunder Castle stadium in Buriram province, Thailand Nov 10, 2017. (AP PHOTO / SAKCHAI LALIT)
DPRK was designated as the host of the first game. Malaysia will have to regroup quickly as the designated host of the return match on Monday at the same venue.
"Look, DPRK was a correct winner, but the defeat was very heavy concerning what happened," Malaysia coach Manuel Martinho Vingado said.
The win gives DPRK five points in Group B, level with Hong Kong. Lebanon leads with 10 points, while Malaysia is last with one. The top two teams advance.
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