KUALA LUMPUR: Bangkok may be the neutral battleground for Malaysia and North Korea in their Asian Cup qualifiers.
On Friday, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) decided that the long overdue matches between the two countries will take place at a neutral venue after being postponed thrice before due to political tensions involving the communist state.
“There is a possibility both matches against North Korea will be played in Bangkok. We must win these matches, and furthermore Bangkok is not a place that is foreign or alien to us,” said national coach-manager Nelo Vingada today.
North Korea will be regarded as hosts for the match on Nov 10, with Malaysia regarded as hosts for the next match three days later at the same venue. The AFC will announce the venue sometime next week.
Vingada hopes all his players will be free of injuries for the 2019 Asia Cup qualifiers against North Korea as they seek their first win in Group B.
Vingada said such concerns stem from the fact he will only have five days to prepare the national team as soon as the Malaysia Cup final is over and done on Nov 4, and there is a possibility national players, who feature in the final, could end up picking up injuries.
“We are aware that most of our first team players come from the four teams who have made it to the semi-finals, namely Darul Ta’zim, Perak, Kedah and Felda United.
“Just imagine if Darul Ta’zim and Kedah advance to the final and some of our key players end up injured, then it would definitely have an adverse effect in terms of the national team’s strength.”
Translated from Harian Metro