Despite both being on the wrong end of 1-nil scorelines in their opening games, Saudi Arabia and Korea DPR remain confident of advancing to the last eight of the 2015 Asian Cup. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6.00pm (AEDT) as both sides chase vital points.
The North Korean’s confidence of progressing to the knock-out stages of the competition remains unshaken, despite being outplayed during most of their opening match against Uzbekistan. Played in dismal conditions, Jo Tong-sop’s side were unable to build any sort of sustained pressure against the White Wolves, who thoroughly deserved their win.
Tong-sop’s side gave away too much space against the technically superior Uzbeks and if he is any chance of steering his side to the quarter finals he must get his defensive and midfield lines playing closer together, especially if his strategy remains to catch sides on the break.
Standing at 6 foot 2 inches, striker Pak Kwang-ryong was the standout, literally, for the Chollima in their opening game but he will be looking for more support from Jong Il-kwan and European based Cha Jong-hyok if the North Korean’s are to continue their unbeaten streak against Saudi Arabia.
However, the Saudis will have other plans as they search for their first victory against the North Koreans.
Touted as one of the teams to watch and with a squad packed with talent, Saudi coach Cosmin Olaroiu believes his side were desperately unlucky in their opening game against China in Brisbane.
Indeed, Al Akhdar outplayed the Chinese and finished with 55% possession but were let down by their potency in the attacking third and left to rue Naif Hazazi’s missed penalty in the 62nd minute.
However with two games left to play Olaroiu is confident his team will not repeat their 2011 Asian Cup performance where they failed to win a game, telling journalists his team can win the next two games.
It’s a message echoed by defender Saeed Al Muwallad who concedes the Saudi’s were simply not good enough in the first half against the Chinese and failed to take their chances in the second.
Both sides will be desperate for the three points on offer in Melbourne. The North Korean’s will need to focus all their power on overcoming a Saudi side that are at risk of once again failing to perform at a major tournament.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6.00pm (AEDT) as these two nations fight to stay in the hunt for Asian glory.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Guardian sport @guardian_sport 6h6 hours ago Asian Cup: North Korea bow out amid hope that bridges can be built http://gu.com/p/44qa7/stw (Photo: EPA)
Stevo
Roar Rookie
According to reliable sources on Santo, Sam and Ed, the North Korean papers are already running the results of the Asian Cup. They have proclaimed the DPR Korea as champions of Asia ;)
Jason Cave
Guest
I wonder what sort of explanation the North Koreans would give to their people back home about their performance in the Asian Cup? -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
I've been to all three games at AAMI and they have provided excellent entertainment, atmosphere and skill to boot. If the HAL was like this crowds would flock to our games. This tourno has been fantastic.
Tigranes
Guest
Billy how many of the DPRK play professionally because they really lacked fitness
billyelliott
Roar Guru
That's it from Melbourne. If only football games only lasted 30 minutes, the Chollima might have had a chance, instead, they were over-run by the Saudi's who were comfortable winners. So the North Koreans chance of going through to the knock-out stages are over but the Saudi's are still alive. Final score North Korea 1 Saudi Arabia 4
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90+3' Corner for Saudi Arabia Played short and it's a sea of green inside the North Korean. 18 yard box. Oh danger here for Choe Won. Somehow he escapes a red card, picks up a yellow card for a hip and shoulder on Ibrahim who went down like a shot duck. PRK 1 4 KSA
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90' Park Kwang-Ryong battles his way though and finds himself one-on-one with the keeper but Waleed up to it and pushes the ball wide. He's earnt his team a corner which will be taken once Osama gets some treatment after being sandblasted out of the way by Kwang-Ryong. The North Korean's have made their final change - Choe Won replaces goal scorer Young-Gi PRK 1 4 KSA
billyelliott
Roar Guru
88' Hazazi pulls up chasing that ball down, bad news for him, the Saudi's have made all three allowed changes. Good news, there are only two minutes left. PRK 1 4 KSA
billyelliott
Roar Guru
84' Saudi Arabia queuing up now. Only a very fine save from Myong-Guk kept them from making it 5. North Korea haven't been out of their half for the last 10 minutes or so. It's looking like a Saudi Arabian training session. PRK 1 4 KSA
billyelliott
Roar Guru
83' Final change for Saudi Arabia - Al Abid replaced by Al Muwawad PRK 1 4 KSA
billyelliott
Roar Guru
81' North Korea are all out of ideas. Change for Saudi Arabia, captain Kariri replaced by Ibrahim PRK 1 4 KSA
James
Guest
How was that a red?
billyelliott
Roar Guru
78' It was a great initial save by Myong-Guk and the ball rolled across the byline and was toed home by Al Abid. PRK 1 4 KSA
billyelliott
Roar Guru
76' Somehow the referee has found a penalty amongst a wonderful run by Al Dawsari Red card for Ri Yong-Jik for the handball. It bounced off the cross bar and came back and hit his hand. Al Abid scores the Saudi's fourth after Myong-Guk saved the penalty. PRK 1 4 KSA
billyelliott
Roar Guru
74' Al Sahlawi plays a nice ball through to Hazizi who is incorrectly ruled offside. It's his last involvement in this game - replaced by Al Jassam PRK 1 3 KSA
billyelliott
Roar Guru
Crowd tonight 12,319
billyelliott
Roar Guru
72' Hyon-Jin picks up a yellow card for a foul on half-way. PRK 1 3 KSA
billyelliott
Roar Guru
71' Al Sahlawi clear on goal, seems certain to claim a hattrick but scuffs his shot and pulls it wide. He disposed the North Korean and ran straight at goal but couldn't capitalise. PRK 1 3 KSA
billyelliott
Roar Guru
69' Saudi players lining up but resolute defending by the North Koreans and the final shot is blasted over the bar. The Chollima trying to maintain some pride PRK 1 3 KSA