Guam's hopes of qualifying for the final round of the men's East Asian Cup football tournament are over, following a 2-0 defeat by North Korea last night.
Scores were level at the half-time break before So Hyon-uk broke the deadlock in the 66th minute, beating Guam captain Jason Cunliffe to the ball and volleying into the goal.
Pak Kwang-ryong sealed the result in the 86th minute, scoring a free kick after he was fouled on the edge of the Guam penalty area.
The Matao were beaten 3-2 by Hong Kong at the weekend and are bottom of the Round 2 standings with one match, against Chinese Taipei, still to play.
The Matao huddle together against Hong Kong. Photo: Guam Football Association
Hong Kong defeated Chinese Taipei 4-2 in the later game at Mong Kok Stadium to join North Korea at the top of the standings on maximum points.
The Koreans are top thanks to a superior goal differential and will advance to the final round against Japan, South Korea and China next month if they can achieve a draw or better against the hosts on Saturday.
Meanwhile Guam's national women's team were thrashed 13-0 by South Korea in their first match in the East Asian Cup second round on Tuesday, with matches against Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong still to play.
South Korea were too strong for Guam. Photo: Hong Kong Football Association
