“Given that Japan had already progressed to the next stage of the 2014 qualifying process and North Korea had been eliminated, the result when the two countries met in Pyongyang was academic. Nevertheless, the North Koreans were clearly intent on ensuring that their visitors did not forget their time in Pyongyang. The Japan team was held up by a baggage and immigration inspection at the airport on the eve of the game. Korean officials berated players when they laughed, and confiscated items including bananas, chewing gum, and instant noodles, according to both Nikkan Sports and Sports Nippon. At a stretch one can see how certain items such as chewing gum might be seen as embodying the decadent, immoral and corrupt capitalist world, but a banana!? Really?” World Soccer (Video)