BUKIT JALIL, March 16 — Malaysia accepted the new date set by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for the postponed Group B Asian Cup qualifying match against North Korea supposed to be played in Pyongyang on March 28.

The Malaysians reacted positively to the new date which has been set for June 8 at a neutral venue that has yet to be named, saying it will give the team more time to prepare.

The return leg will also be played at a neutral venue on Nov 14.

AFC secretary-general Datuk Windsor Paul announced the new date decided by the competition committee at a media briefing yesterday.

“On Monday, we sent a letter to North Korea, saying based on the principle of match sequence according to Fifa’s window, the match between North Korea and Malaysia will be played on June 8,” he said.

“We should play according to the Fifa date, failing which the players will not be released by their respective clubs.”

He said North Korea have been given a month's time to propose a neutral venue for the match.

“We were also informed North Korea need to provide a neutral venue. We have given them until April 14 to come back with a neutral venue, in the event the current diplomatic situation remains unresolved.

“If North Korea is not able to find a neutral venue, AFC will decide the venue for them by May 8.”

Windsor believes North Korea will cooperate with AFC to ensure the match goes on smoothly.

“North Korea will cooperate with us. So far they have not shown any indication of wanting to pull out from the match. They want points to qualify as well.

“However, we might have to go back to the original venue of Pyongyang if relations between both countries returns back to normal, and if North Korea can guarantee the safety of the players, officials and fans.”

Striker Safee Sali said he has no problem with the new date, as long as the players and officials’ safety are guaranteed.

“The new date actually gives us more time to prepare and it benefits us in a way,” he said.

Midfielder Baddrol Bakhtiar though said he is still worried as they could still end up playing in Pyongyang if relations are back to normal, even though for now with it will be neutral venues.

“Whatever it is, the match still makes me worried as we could end up playing there,” he said.

Malaysia coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee prefers a neutral venue close to Malaysia as the next match against Lebanon will take place just six days after they face North Korea.

“I’m fine with the new date, but I'm concerned about the strain of travelling on the team,” he said,

“If we play in Beijing or if things go back to normal and we end up playing in Pyongyang .... the time spent travelling can be exhausting as we play Lebanon just six days later.”

Kim Swee stressed he prefers a neutral venue close by such as Thailand, Laos or Cambodia which does not incur long travel hours.