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N Korea at crossroads

Two Koreas play soccer in empty Pyongyang stadium as relations turn icy

North denies direct flight to South's players, expressing displeasure at Moon

SEOUL -- Dashing previous expectations that up to 40,000 North Koreans would cheer their national soccer team on in a derby with the South, the two Koreas played the World Cup qualifier to an empty Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang on Tuesday.

The match was attended by a handful of officials but no fans, mirroring the chill in bilateral ties as North Korea takes offense at ongoing international sanctions.

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