World Cup Qualifier: Socceroos snooze through North Korea missile launch

THE Socceroos are bunkered down in Tokyo ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifier, but not because of North Korean missiles flying overhead.

THE Socceroos are bunkered down in Tokyo, but not because of North Korean missiles flying overhead.

So focused is the Australian team on Thursday night’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Japan in Saitama that star attacker Robbie Kruse didn’t even know about North Korea’s firing of a rocket over the northern part of the country until told by Australian reporters.

Morning TV news services were entirely dedicated to the escalating tensions in the region, with pictures splashed over the screens of a missile launch and of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

But life in was continuing as normal in the heart of Tokyo.

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Australia's forward Robbie Kruse.

And in the Socceroos camp, it seems.

“To be honest, I didn’t even know it happened,” Kruse said.

Football Federation Australia said in a statement that it was monitoring the situation.

“Football Federation Australia is aware of this morning’s reports,” an FFA spokesman said.

“Security assessments are made for all Socceroos matches at home and abroad with appropriate precautions in place.

“When overseas and wherever necessary Socceroos management liaises with Australian Government representatives on matters of security.”

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Originally published as World Cup Qualifier: Socceroos snooze through North Korea missile launch