The third match of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup comes from Group B and sees central Asia’s Uzbekistan take on Korea DPR at Stadium Australia. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6.00pm (AEDT).
Having been drawn alongside China and Saudi Arabia in arguably the ‘group of death’, both sides will be looking to get their Cup run off to a winning start in Sydney.
The Uzbek’s can claim favouritism (unless of course you’re taking odds from a North Korean bookie) having beaten their opponents twice in the qualification process for the 2014 World Cup.
Despite facing a tough draw, Uzbekistan are expecting to progress to the knock-out stages of the competition.
“We hope we’re going to qualify from the group and we want to go to the final and then we will see who is the best,” defender Vitaliy Denisov recently told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Just how far they go in the competition will depend on captain Server Djeparov who provides the creative spark from midfield and will ghost in behind the striker while Odil Ahmedov who plays for Russian club, Krasnodar, will be another for the North Koreans to watch out for.
Coach Mirdjalal Kasimov has left no stone unturned in preparation for the Asian Cup with his side losing just once, scoring 13 goals and conceding only four goals in 10 games and they start the competition as the highest ranked team in the group.
North Korea, on the other hand has had a disjointed preparation, playing only six games with mixed results. Perhaps most concerning is their two wins were against Guam (5-1) and Hong Kong (2-1) in the EAFF East Asian Cup qualifiers in November.
Jo Tong-sop and his side only arrived in Sydney this week, and having trained in the sweltering Sydney heat during the week the North Koreans will be hoping for cooler weather come Saturday evening.
A disciplined side that like to play from defence and known for their frugal defending, North Korea’s chances for a result against the Uzbek’s will harbour on striker Pak Kwang-ryong with midfield support from former Young Asian Player of the Year, Jong Il-gwan.
Opening group matches often resemble a game of chess, with teams doing everything they can not to lose but if either of these sides are to progress from the group stages, three points will be crucial so the winner will be the team that can cut the shackles. There won’t be much in this one so get involved and join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6.00pm (AEDT).
billyelliott
Roar Guru
What a save from Nesterov, a one-handed save wins it for Uzbekistan. They were the better side over the 90 minutes and deserved the result and a lack of discipline has cost the North Korean's any chance of a result. They started the second half well, and pressed Uzbekistan early but they lacked the killer instinct. Final result Uzbekistan 1 Korea DPR 0 Stick around for the next match - China v Saudia Arabia - http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/01/10/saudi-arabia-vs-china-pr-2015-asian-cup-live-scores-blog/ Til next time.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90' Shots coming thick and fast from Uzbekistan, none really troubling the keeper though. North Korea looked to have switched off early and they have three minutes of added time to find the equaliser. UZB 1 0 PRK
billyelliott
Roar Guru
88' Change for the White Wolves. Sergeev OFF, Nasimov ON UZB 1 0 PRK
billyelliott
Roar Guru
87' Should have been two nil up there the White Wolves, they were lining up to finish that inside the North Korean 18 yard box but Myong Guk stood tall and saw off the challenge. The goalkeeper has been the North Korean's best tonight followed by Yong Jik. Uzbekistan still pushing for a second late in the game. UZB 1 0 PRK
billyelliott
Roar Guru
82' Shot from North Korea, deflected out for a corner. Song Chol hits the corner short, changing the angle but he is unable to provide a decent ball after mishitting the return pass. Andy Harper let's us know that he hasn't seen any improvement in the North Korean's since 2011. Always insightful Andy. UZB 1 0 PRK
billyelliott
Roar Guru
80' Wow, Yong Jik nearly scores a great goal. Pity it would have been an own goal. Lucky for him Myong Guk was there to safely save. UZB 1 0 PRK
Official crowd: 12,078
billyelliott
Roar Guru
78' 12,078 people have braved the conditions and have been kept entertained by an enthralling match between North Korea and Uzbekistan at Stadium Australia. Meanwhile, another chance goes begging. Segeev unable to get to the volley in time. UZB 1 0 PRK
billyelliott
Roar Guru
76' Chance goes missing for North Korea as the assistant referee catches the North Korean offside. UZB 1 0 PRK
billyelliott
Roar Guru
72' Free kick for North Korea, referee tried to play advantage but none was forthcoming. Uzbekistan take the opportunity to make their first change. Akhmedov OFF Rashidov ON The White Wolves have been in control of this match for the last few minutes, North Korea for all the huff and puff just don't look like scoring today. UZB 1 0 PRK
billyelliott
Roar Guru
66' Game has slowed since the Uzbek goal and the White Wolves have their tails up. UZB 1 0 PRK
billyelliott
Roar Guru
65' Change for North Korea. Chol Song comes on for the North Korean's. UZB 1 0 PRK
billyelliott
Roar Guru
63' GOAL! THE WHITE WOLVES GO AHEAD It was a wonderful cross and Sergeev hits into the corner leaving Myong Guk without a chance to open his side's account for the Asian Cup. UZB 1 0 PRK
billyelliott
Roar Guru
61' Cross comes in from the Uzbek's it's a nervy clearance from Myong Guk who didn't look comfortable there. Neither side able to get any sort of ascendancy or control in these conditions. UZB 0 0 PRK
billyelliott
Roar Guru
58' Nice interchange of passing by the North Korean's who seem to be handling the conditions better than the White Wolves. The final pass lets them down. Playing much better this half are the North Koreans. UZB 0 0 PRK
billyelliott
Roar Guru
56' Another long range effort, this time by North Korea but doesn't trouble Nesterov who collects calmly. UZB 0 0 PRK
billyelliott
Roar Guru
53' A huge let off for North Korea. Somehow the ball goes across the face of the goal and Myong Guk is able to get an outstretched hand to deflect it away from goal. UZB 0 0 PRK
billyelliott
Roar Guru
52' Denisov hits it low and hard, skids off the surface but Myong Guk up to the challenge. Both sides have had opportunities this half and both keepers have been wise to the greasy surface (so far). North Korea seem to have closed the gap between the lines which has helped their positive start in this half. UZB 0 0 PRK
"apocalyptic"
billyelliott
Roar Guru
49' Yong Jik stabs a shot goalward, it skids off the surface and the goalkeeper parries and then collects the ball. Yong Jik looks a handy player. He won the ball in the middle, and carried it forward before having his shot. The rain has really equalled these two sides out. North Korea coming out the better in the second half. UZB 0 0 PRK