The Battle of Bangkok

The decision by world soccer body FIFA to order the clash be played behind closed doors in a third country was greeted by anger in North Korea, where state-run media described the move as "unjust".

However, it received the thumbs up in Japan, where officials fear their country's 1910-1945 colonial rule over the Korean peninsula could have made their team a target for the North's passionate but unruly fans.

North Korea is also currently at the centre of intense diplomatic activity as its neighbours and the United States try to curb its nuclear weapons ambitions.

After the chaotic scenes at the Kim Il-sung stadium in March, when match officials were unable to leave the pitch for 20 minutes due to a barrage of bottles, rocks and chairs from frustrated North Korean fans, Bangkok's 40,000-seat Supachalasai stadium will seem eerily quiet.

A travelling army of around 500 Japanese reporters, photographers and television cameraman has arrived for the clash -- dubbed the 'Battle of Bangkok' by The Nation newspaper -- which kicks off at 1030 GMT.

However, fans who have flown in from Tokyo will have to make do with watching the big game on giant screens in hotel bars or from the top-floor balconies of an apartment complex overlooking the stadium.

Japan only need a draw to qualify for next year's tournament in Germany, whereas North Korea's hopes of reaching their first World Cup since 1966 have all but vanished following a run of four defeats in the qualifiers.

For all the high political drama hanging over the game, Japan's Brazilian coach Zico insists he has come to Bangkok merely to get the job done on the pitch.

"We are well prepared and we are confident we can reach our objectives here," he told reporters after a training session.

"With all respect to our opponents, we are going to contest with the same spirit and determination we showed in Bahrain and will try to leave here with our qualification."

His counterpart Ri Hi-yon, acting general secretary of the North Korean Football Association, said he regretted the loss of home advantage but vowed that his side would be no push-over.

"Of course this match, our home match, is being held in a neutral country, so we have slightly difficult conditions," he said.

"But we trained very hard during pre-match training in China and we'll do our very best to be successful."