Russia-North Korea Football Match Was a Pariah State Derby Like No Other

The Moscow Times

Lean Left

High Factuality

Independent: Stichting 2 Oktober

Russia-North Korea Football Match Was a Pariah State Derby Like No Other

They may not have the prestige of the Euros or World Cup, but exhibition matches like these can never be seen in isolation from global conflicts and diplomatic tensions.  Twenty-seven days after President Vladimir Putin left North Korea where he met with Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, Russia’s women’s team hosted North Korea for the second match in four days on Monday evening in western Moscow.  Russia lost the first friendly match 3-0 and drew the…