ZCZC
BSP-08
FBL-ASIA-2023-KOR-CHN
China to host 2023 Asian Cup after Korea withdraw bid
SEOUL, May 16, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – South Korea have abandoned their bid to
stage football’s Asian Cup in 2023, authorities said, leaving the sole other
bidders China with a free run to become hosts.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) said in a statement it had pulled out
to “strategically focus” on a joint bid with North Korea to host the Women’s
World Cup in the same year.
The KFA announced the joint bid in March, but diplomatic contacts between
Pyongyang and Seoul have since dwindled with North Korea-US nuclear talks
deadlocked.
“For the Women’s World Cup, FIFA and the South Korean government will
provide active support so that the joint hosting by South and North Koreas
can be materialised,” the KFA’s head Chun Han-jin said in the statement late
Wednesday.
Seoul’s Asian Cup withdrawal means that China should on June 4 be
confirmed by the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) as hosts of the nations
championship finals for the second time.
China staged the tournament in 2004 when the hosts lost 3-1 to Japan in
the Beijing final.
The KFA announced Seoul’s bid to host the 24-nation 2023 edition two years
ago, saying it hoped to “host the most prestigious football tournament in
Asia” 63 years after holding it for the first time in 1960.
Thailand and Indonesia had also previously expressed interest in hosting
the 2023 event, but dropped their bids earlier.
This year’s tournament in the UAE was expanded to 24 nations for the first
time with Qatar winning the final 3-1 against Japan.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1000 hrs