INCHEON: North Koreans have already celebrated a win at Incheon, days before the Asian Games officially begin.

With play under way in the football competition, North Korea took China apart 3-0 in the first round on Monday as thousands of athletes from 45 nations were either still settling in or yet to arrive in the South Korean western port city. The opening ceremony is Friday.

The North Korea lineup was cheered on by a sparse crowd at the football stadium, including South Koreans and a small contingent of uniformed North Korean supporters flying their nation’s flag.

Goals from Sim Hyon-Jin, So Kyong-Jin and Ri Hyok-Chol at Incheon Football Stadium made it an easy debut outing for North Korea, who won the men’s football silver medal at the last Asian Games.

Published in Dawn, September 16th , 2014