AFC secretary-general Windsor Paul when contacted by Bernama on Monday said though the AFC are still discussing the prospect of a neutral venue for the 2019 Asia Cup qualifying match between Malaysia and North Korea, a decision was expected by end of the week.

Prior to this, North Korea was given a month’s time by AFC to propose a neutral venue for the match.

The Harimau Malaya squad, was originally scheduled to play North Korea in a Group B 2019 Asian Cup qualifying match at the Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang on March 28.

However, due to diplomatic tensions following the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s half-brother Kim Jong Nam in klia2 on Feb 13, the Malaysian government had barred the national squad from playing in that country due to safety reasons.

Following that, FAM had on March 13 appealed to the AFC to pick a neutral venue for the match.