International Football
NORTH KOREA BOYCOTTS WOMEN’S OLYMPIC FOOTBALL SOUTH KOREA
BY DUNCAN MACKAY
North Korea are set to announce they will not compete in the third round of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in South Korea in February – ending their chances of reaching Tokyo 2020.
The tournament, featuring two groups of four, is due to take place on Jeju Island between February 3 and 9.
The top two teams in each group are then scheduled to play each other in a two-legged home-and-away playoff on March 6 and 11, with the winners qualifying for next year’s Olympic Games.
But, according to South Korean agency Yonhap News , North Korea has already notified the AFC that they not will be taking part.
They did not give a reason, Yonhap News reported, but relations between the two countries have deteriorated since the Hanoi Summit in February between North Korean chairman Kim Jong-un and United States President Donald Trump ended without a deal on denuclearisation.
It is not expected that North Korea will be replaced in the tournament.
North Korea were due to face South Korea in Group A, which also includes Vietnam and Myanmar.
North Korea, who played at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games in Beijing and London, were the top-ranked team in Group A with a world ranking of 11.
South Korea have never qualified for an Olympic women’s football tournament and have only beaten their rivals from the North once in 19 meetings.
Four other teams in the third round – Australia, China, Thailand and Chinese Taipei – were drawn into Group B and are scheduled to play their matches in Wuhan in China from February 3 to 9.
North Korea also declined to participate in the women’s tournament East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Football Championship earlier this month in Busan.
North Korea had won the three previous EAFF titles but pulled out months before the opening kick-off.
It is less than two years since the two Koreas marched together in the Opening Ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang and took part in a joint women’s ice hockey team – events that heralded hopes of a new reconciliation between the North and South.
Trump’s attempts at diplomacy with Kim, which he has made a centerpiece of his foreign policy efforts, have failed to make much progress after positive early signs following Pyeongchang 2018.
Trump became the first US President to meet with his North Korean counterpart at a summit in Singapore in 2018.
Trump said at the time that the pair had “developed a very special bond” and described Kim as “a very talented man”.
The Hanoi Summit was followed by another historic meeting in June, when Trump took an unprecedented step into North Korea.
Recently, however, relations have shown signs of returning to their pre-Pyeongchang 2018 state and Kim has threatened to lift a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests and resume launches over Japan in the build up to Tokyo 2020.
The two Koreas remain technically at war, because the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.
Earlier this month, hopes for a joint North-South Korean FIFA Women’s World Cup ended after South Korea withdrew its bid for the 2023 event just hours before the deadline.
The Korea Football Association claimed strained inter-Korean relations meant a unified bid was not possible.
–insidethegames
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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