HANGZHOU, China (Reuters) – North Korean players clashed with match officials after losing 2-1 in their Asian Games soccer quarter-final against Japan in Hangzhou on Sunday.
North Korea captain Jang Kuk Chol and team mate Kim Kyong Sok remonstrated heatedly with the match referees after the final whistle, prompting security staff to run on to the pitch 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.
Yuta Matsumura slotted home the winning penalty from the spot to see Japan through to the semi-finals.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Clare Fallon)
