Saudi Arabia take on China PR in the first round of games of the group stages, and in the second fixture of Group B. Join us on The Roar from 8:00pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary of this Asian Cup fixture.
One of the dark horse teams in the competition, Saudi Arabia have lost their last three international matches, and will be hoping to regain form when they travel to Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
The three-time Asian Cup winners last lifted the trophy in 1996. Manager Cosmin Olăroiu will be hoping his side can emulate the Saudis’ success of the nineties, which saw them not only lift the Asian Cup, but shock the world when they defeated Belgium and Morocco to make it to the Round of 16 of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where they eventually fell to Sweden.
Eyes will be on the Saudi key man Nasser Al-Shamrani, who is already well-known to Australian fans after his antics post-match against the Western Sydney Wanderers, which saw him receive a six-match ban for spitting, followed by a two-match ban for a head-butt. His ban does not apply to international football, so the Saudi will be free to play.
China PR are riding a five-match unbeaten run, coming off a dominant 4-1 win over Oman just seven days prior to this clash. Overall China will want to go one better than they did in the 2004 Asian Cup, where they reached the final only to suffer a 3-1 loss to rivals Japan.
Unbeaten by the Saudis in their past three games, Alain Perrin’s men will be looking to continue on their impressive recent defensive displays, which has seen them concede just one goal in their past five internationals.
The last time these two teams played, both sides failed to find the net and the match ended as a scoreless draw. With both teams struggling in the attacking department, a similar result would not surprise.
Prediction
Saudi Arabia 1 – 0 China PR
Can Saudi Arabia finally find that win they have been looking for, or will China PR start off their Asian Cup campaign on a high and go six games unbeaten? Join The Roar from 8pm AEDT to find out.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
It was! A little lucky though!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Lots of fans turning up for the games. Awesome to see!
AZ_RBB
Guest
Mind absolutely blown by some of the crowd figures. Haven't been home for a few days so I've sadly missed most of the action but looks like the tournament has had an amazing start.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Hahaha wow, that's not good!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you for joining the Roar on this live blog, hope you enjoyed it. See you next time, plenty of Asian Cup coverage coming your way.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: Saudi Arabia 0 - 1 China PR China come away with a well-deserved three points, but it was hard earned. They looked the more dangerous and clinical side, and while their goal could be considered a lucky one, they were unlucky not to score in the first half through Xi that should have been a corner. Junmin was outstanding, but you have to think that keeper and birthday boy Dalei will get man of the match, especially after his penalty save from a poor shot by Hazazi. Saudi Arabia clearly missed their star man and Asian player of the year, Nasser Al-Shamrani- but they also looked poor in their finishing and finishing touches. Saudi looked dangerous late in the game, and really started to pile on the pressure, but it was too little too late. The Chinese defense well in what was a physical performance to shut down the Saudi attack on multiple occasions. Well deserved win for China PR and Saudi Arabia have a lot of work to do. The final score once again: Saudi Arabia 0 - 1 China PR
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+4' - Abdullah comes out of goal for the corner, but the delivery is poor and the ball is cleared. Referee blows the whistle for full time and China start off their Asian Cup campaign of 2015 on a high note with three points. The full time score: Saudi Arabia 0 - 1 China PR
Jim
Guest
Great goal!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+3' - Saudi Arabia win a corner for what should be the last play of the game. Saudi Arabia 0 - 1 China PR
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+2' - A dangerous ball by Saudi Arabia sees the ball headed back across goal but Hazazi fails to read the ball. He seems to have trouble reading the game, showing his inexperience. Saudi Arabia 0 - 1 China PR
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+1' - China pressuring well, Saudi Arabia can not find a way through, they keep losing the ball. Saudi Arabia 0 - 1 China PR
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90' - Long balls in by Saudi Arabia but there seems to be no desire, and time and time again Saudis almost get caught on the counter attack. China look like they are going to hold on for the win. Saudi Arabia 0 - 1 China PR
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
89' - China still looking to attack here despite being in front. Always nice to see. There will be four minutes of added time as well. Saudi Arabia 0 - 1 China PR
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
89' - SUB for SAUDI ARABIA Al Muwallad is set to come off for Al Shehri. Late change, will it pay dividends? Saudi Arabia 0 - 1 China PR
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
87' - Dawsari puts a nice pass in but he got the ball when he was just offside. Saudi Arabia 0 - 1 China PR
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
haha wow, talk about cutting it close. Thanks for posting that by the way!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
ATTENDANCE: 12,557
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
85' - Al Dawsari does well to cut into the middle and get a shot away, but his shot is blocked. Saudi Arabia come away with the ball again, and look to get a ball into the box through Abid but it goes out for a goal kick. Saudi Arabia 0 - 1 China PR
Official crowd is 12,557 which means they have taken over Canberra by 5 people and claim the top crowd on day 2
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
84' - Saudi Arabia are looking to turn up the pace, but keep getting shut down too quickly. Saudi Arabia 0 - 1 China PR