Son Heung-min has declared it "a huge achievement" just to avoid injury in a North Korea vs South Korea derby that the South Korean FA vice-president has said was "like war".
Tuesday's World Cup qualifier at an empty Kim Il-sung Stadium in Pyongyang ended in a goalless draw, with two players booked from each side.
But Tottenham star Son has hit out at the "aggressive" tactics of the North Koreans.
"It's too bad that we didn't win, but the match was very aggressive to a degree that I think it's a huge achievement just to return safely without being injured," the forward told reporters at Incheon airport on Thursday morning after touching down back home.
"North Korean players were sensitive and aggressive. There was a lot of severe swearing."
South Korea FA vice-president Choi Young-il went further in his condemnation of their North Korean neighbours.
"It was like war," he said. "I've never seen such [aggression] in football until now."
No fans were allowed in to watch the match between the countries ranked 113th and 37th in the world, while foreign media coverage of the match was limited, something that has angered FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
"I was looking forward to seeing a full stadium for such a historic match but was disappointed to see there were no fans in the stands," Infantino said in an interview published on FIFA's website.
"We were surprised by this and by several issues related to its live broadcast and problems with visas and access for foreign journalists.
"For us, freedom of the press and freedom of speech are obviously paramount, but on the other hand it would be naive to think we can change the world from one minute to the next."
