N Korean women seek Olympic 'glory' in qualifying showdown with Japan

"draw power from representing our country."

More likely the fear of consequences should they fail.

Why is glory in inverted commas ?

N Korean women seek Olympic 'glory'

Of course. If they lose, well that will literally be the end for them.

Forget the games, they should just make a plan to run away.

No one will find them in Tokyo Station. No one can even find the right exit in there.

Forget the games, they should just make a plan to run away.

No one will find them in Tokyo Station

I genuinely wish you were right, and that these players could attain freedom from that terror state.

The reality is each player will have 1 or 2 NK security guards with them at all times. Outside their rooms, while in transit, everywhere except on the pitch. Any attempt to defect would mean certain execution to them and their extended family - children included - upon return to that hellhole.

Horrid state of affairs.

Coulda been: "More likely the fear of consequences should they fail."

You can kind of argue the same for the Japanese women. There wouldn't be any imprisonment or things the NKs might face, but I guarantee they would at the very least be embarrassed and then completely forgotten by the media and fans. You'd ask a bandwagoner "What'd you think of the game with Nadeshiko Japan?" They'd reply, "Who?"

In any case, I just hope it's a good game regardless of who wins. That NK is doing as well as it's doing against Japan is pretty amazing in itself.

Could be a very long game, NK security officials dressed as linesmen constantly counting the NK players on the pitch.

Hats off to Nadeshiko Japan on qualification for Paris!

They'll all be partying inside and outside of the Olympic Stadium in Shinjuku tonight! 2-1 was close - but any win wouldve got them there.

Coulda been: "More likely the fear of consequences should they fail."

You can kind of argue the same for the Japanese women. There wouldn't be any imprisonment or things the NKs might face, but I guarantee they would at the very least be embarrassed and then completely forgotten by the media and fans. 

I can't believe these two situations are being compared even slightly or remotely.