SHANGHAI, China — Relations between the two Koreas are becoming normal — at least in soccer.
After a politically charged World Cup qualifier ended in a 0-0 tie Wednesday, North Korean players walked to the far end of the field to bow and wave to thousands of South Korean fans. South Korean players picked up on the gesture, standing in a line and waving to hundreds of North Korean supporters at Hongkou Stadium.
"The next time in Seoul, I want to play in the same atmosphere like this because we are brothers, the same people," said North Korea player Hong Yong Ho, already looking forward to the June 22 rematch.
This game had first been scheduled for Pyongyang in North Korea but was shifted by FIFA, soccer's governing body, after North Korean officials refused to have the South Korean anthem played and the South's flag flown on their turf.
South Korean player Cho Won-Hee, right, heads the ball beside North Korean player Cha Jong-Hyok during their World Cup qualifier which ended in a 0-0 draw at the Hongkou Stadium in Shanghai on Wednesday. (Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images)
"Of course players might have played better at home, but they have to learn to adjust to playing in away matches and get accustomed to all conditions," North Korea coach Kim Jung Hoon said.
The nations technically remain at war, although fighting on the battlefield ended in 1953.
Pregame anthems were played without incident. As the South Korean anthem was played, thousands of its fans behind one goal unfurled two huge flags.
South Korean fans appeared to outnumber North Korean supporters by a 10-to-1 margin.
"This match was not an exhibition game, so I don't think there was any special feeling," said South Korea's Park Ji-sung, who plays for Manchester United. "Our goal is to win and make it to the World Cup and it does not matter who we were playing."
The teams have played each other 11 times, and North Korea's only victory was in 1990. South Korea won both previous World Cup qualifiers between the nations.
Both nations are 1-0-1 in Group Three of the third round of Asian qualifying for the 2010 tournament. Jordan (1-1) is third following a 2-0 win at Turkmenistan (0-2).
"We could have played better, but we are satisfied because South Korea is a strong team," North Korea forward Jong Tae Se said. "But we can't be totally satisfied."
Jong was born in Japan to South Korean parents, but chose to play for North Korea.
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