The North Korean women's soccer team has left for Saudi Arabia to play the first of their final Olympic qualifying matches against Japan.
About 30 players and officials boarded a flight from the Chinese capital Beijing on Wednesday.
The first of the two home-and-away games had been scheduled to be played in Pyongyang this weekend.
The Asian Football Confederation announced the new venue in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, just three days before the first game.
Earlier this month, it proposed moving the match to a neutral venue, citing difficulties in preparations such as the lack of regular flights to and from North Korea.
North Korea's head coach, Ri Yu Il, told reporters that his squad will play to win.
About 30 players and officials boarded a flight from the Chinese capital Beijing on Wednesday.
The first of the two home-and-away games had been scheduled to be played in Pyongyang this weekend.
The Asian Football Confederation announced the new venue in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, just three days before the first game.
Earlier this month, it proposed moving the match to a neutral venue, citing difficulties in preparations such as the lack of regular flights to and from North Korea.
North Korea's head coach, Ri Yu Il, told reporters that his squad will play to win.
Similar Readings (5 items)
N.Korea brands news of women's Olympic qualifying match with Japan 'important'
Japan foreign ministry staff to accompany soccer team to N.Korea
North Korea v Japan match cancelled due to “unforeseen circumstances”
North Korea to send delegation to Asian Games in China
FIFA Cancels Japan-North Korea World Cup qualifier
Summary
North Korean women's soccer team departed Beijing for Saudi Arabia to play the first Olympic qualifying match against Japan, scheduled in Jeddah due to preparation difficulties. The team, consisting of around 30 players and officials, was initially set to play in Pyongyang but the Asian Football
Statistics
120
Words1
Read CountDetails
ID: 513276c6-0ebb-43cd-b69d-a70fb8df4297
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240222_16/
Date: Feb. 22, 2024
Created: 2024/02/26 06:30
Updated: 2025/12/08 17:15
Last Read: 2024/02/26 07:43