Mark Nawaqanitawase thanks Ronaldo Mulitalo for their rivalry.
Sep 19, 2026
Former member of the North Korean national football team Ahn Young-hak, who also played in the K League, made a rare appearance in Japan to watch and support his former teammates and younger players at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Ahn attended the men's Group B opening match between China and North Korea on Wednesday at Wave Stadium Kariya in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture. Born in 1978 in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, near Hiroshima, Ahn is a third-generation Korean resident of Japan. Ahn, who played for North Korea at international tournaments, made 40 appearances for the national team between 2002 and 2012, scoring three goals. He made his professional debut with J.League club Albirex Niigata in 2002 and later played for Nagoya Grampus. In 2006, he joined K League club Busan I'Park, beginning his football career in South Korea. He spent two years with Suwon Samsung Bluewings from 2008 before returning to the J.League with Omiya Ardija in 2010. Ahn, who met with Xportsnews at halftime, said he has been working as a youth soccer coach since retiring as a player. "I run football classes
Ji So-yun of Suwon FC Women, who is entering her 20th year as a member of South Korea's national team, expressed regret over the complete lack of communication with North Korean women's national team players, despite the two teams staying at the same hotel. "When I played at my first Asian Games in Doha in 2006, the North Korean players were like older sisters to me because I was the youngest. We became close and talked a lot," 35-year-old Ji said, reflecting on how interaction between players from the two Koreas has been cut off even at international sporting events where they share a common language. Ji made the remarks after South Korea's 6-0 win over Bangladesh in the second Group F match of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Nagai Stadium in Osaka on Thursday. "But now, the North Korean players have become much more stiff in their attitude. Even when we greet them first, they don't respond." The change in relations between the two teams has been particularly noticeable at this year's Games, as they are staying at the same hotel. At every meal, Ji can hear North Korean players spea
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