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N Korea and S Korea meet on pitch Two Koreas meet on football pitch
(about 5 hours later)
The national football teams of North and South Korea are to meet in a World Cup qualifier match in Seoul, amid increasing political tensions. The national football teams of North and South Korea have played a World Cup qualifier in Seoul - which the South won by one goal to nil.
The game took place at a time of increasing political tension between the two neighbours.
North Korea is planning to launch a rocket in the next few days, in what it says is an attempt to put a communications satellite into orbit.North Korea is planning to launch a rocket in the next few days, in what it says is an attempt to put a communications satellite into orbit.
But the South and its US and Japanese allies suggest the launch will actually be a test for a long-range missile. But the South and its allies suggest it plans to test a long-range missile.
The diplomatic stand-off is raising the sporting stakes.
Sometimes a simple sporting moment takes on a bigger political meaning, and the football match between North and South Korea may be just such a moment.
Neutral ground?Neutral ground?
The two teams have played each other a number of times over the past year during the qualification stages for the next World Cup. The two teams have played each other a number of times over the past year during the qualification stages for the 2010 World Cup.
But North Korea's home matches have had to be played on neutral ground in Shanghai, because the North refused to allow the playing of the South's national anthem or the waving of its flags. It is fair to say that the worsening diplomatic relations between the two countries are being translated into the sporting arena.
North Korea's missile programme North Korea's missile programme
North Korea's home matches have had to be played on neutral ground in Shanghai, because the North refused to allow the playing of the South's national anthem or the waving of its flags.
Relations between the two governments have deteriorated since a new conservative administration took office in Seoul last year.Relations between the two governments have deteriorated since a new conservative administration took office in Seoul last year.
This latest derby clash takes place against a backdrop of even higher political tension.This latest derby clash takes place against a backdrop of even higher political tension.
North Korea is planning to launch a rocket as early as Saturday.North Korea is planning to launch a rocket as early as Saturday.
But the South and its international allies are threatening action to agree new UN sanctions in response. But the South, the US and Japan are threatening action to forge agreement on new UN sanctions in response.
The atmosphere in the ground, though, will be rather one sided. Sport and politics often collide but rarely perhaps like an inter-Korean football match.
North Korea's travel restrictions on its own people make it impossible for fans to attend, even if they could afford it.
During past games, a group of South Korean volunteer supporters has been assembled to provide cheering for the visiting team from across the border.