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North Korean players clashed with match officials after losing 2-1 in their Asian Games soccer quarter-final against Japan in Hangzhou on Sunday, October 1.
North Korea captain, Jang Kuk Chol and teammate Kim Kyong Sok remonstrated heatedly with referee Rustam Lutfullin after the final whistle, pursuing the Uzbek in the middle of the pitch as he tried to back away at Xiaoshan Sports Centre Stadium to intervene.
The North Koreans were earlier furious when Uzbek referee Rustam Lutfullin awarded a penalty to Japan after their goalkeeper Kang Juh Yok charged out and clipped the feet of Japan’s Jun Nishikawa with an outstretched arm.
🚨| North Korean players try to attack the referee after their 1 – 2 defeat to Japan in the Asian Games Quarterfinals pic.twitter.com/H26lEntDSD
— Red Card Alert (@collinabanter) October 1, 2023
The North Korean players were incensed earlier when Referee Lutfullin awarded a penalty to Japan. This decision came after goalkeeper Kang Juh Yok charged out and made contact with Jun Nishikawa’s feet using an outstretched arm.
Yuta Matsumura confidently converted the decisive penalty, securing Japan’s place in the semi-finals.
