Thousands of police were deployed for the World Cup qualifying match between China and South Korea on Thursday, with tensions high after Seoul’s rollout of a US-designed missile defence system.
But an unexpected 1-0 victory for hosts China — the greater regional power but with a notoriously poor-performing national team — and the small number of South Koreans travelling to the football game meant nationalist clashes were avoided.
The east Asian derby came after months of condemnation from Beijing of the Thaad anti-missile system on the grounds it would weaken China’s national defences. South Korea has insisted its installation is essential to protect against a growing threat from North Korea.
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