"We are certainly aware of the police that are around," one American player said," as well as the emotion in the country between North and South Korea and the relationship between the United States and North Korea.

Immediately after the starting whistle, the two sides appeared to be locked in a rather tight match.

Team USA took the first set 25-23, even as the crowd, including many members of the left-wing student group Hanchongryun, chanted songs of unification and mimicked North Korean cheers.

Not even the absence of the communist state's official cheering squad seemed to make a difference.

The women were boycotting the games for a day to protest an alleged breakin at their quarters along with anti-Pyeongyang protests by conservative South Korean civic groups.

"I wanted to see the North Korean cheerleaders but I am sad they did not show up," one spectator said. "I think the North Korean team could have done better if they were here."

Even as the blue-and-white unification flags flew among the sea of red, the feverish support was not enough to tip the balance.

"You know the mood's fine," another American player said. "I mean, obviously there's something to it because of the history. But in a sense, it's just another game for us and that's the way we approach it and that's the way it was tonight."

The Americans walked away with an easy 3-nil victory.

The spectators weren't too dismayed, though. "It was great coming here and it really felt like unification will be achieved," one said. (Arirang TV)