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Already having qualified for the quarter finals, China will look to secure top spot in the group when they face a DPR Korea side playing for pride, after two losses in their opening two games. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8pm (AEDT) for an entertaining clash.
A point against bottom placed DPR Korea will be good enough for Alain Perrin’s side to win the group, but after showing plenty of steel in their come-from-behind win against Uzbekistan in Brisbane during the group, Perrin and his charges will be favourites to take all three.
Following the win against Uzbekistan, Perrin allowed his side to celebrate with two bottles of champagne. Yes two full bottles!
“After our first win, we just celebrated among the coaching staff but tonight, I want the players to join us,” the Frenchman told media after the win on Wednesday night.
Perhaps the surprise packet of the tournament so far, China are playing confident, free-flowing football and with the pressure off after securing qualification to the knockout stage Perrin has said his side can relax just a little for the match against DPR Korea.
However, his side would be wise not to relax too much, as despite conceding five and scoring just one, Korea have started aggressively in their opening two matches and coach Jo Tong-sop has indicated China can expect much of the same.
Disappointed to be returning home early, Jo has suggested the skills and level of his players is not high enough to compete against Asia’s best and has urged Dear Leader to make football development a top priority.
Jo was speaking after his side was demolished by Saudi Arabia despite his side taking the lead inside the first 15 minutes and scoring their first Asian Cup goal in 22 years in the process.
The goal, scored by Ryang Yong-gi, capped off a wonderful start for DPR Korea. They hassled and harried the Saudis, who struggled with the physicality of the Chollima in the opening half hour. However, their lack of fitness began to show and it became obvious they were not going to maintain the same tempo for the full 90 minutes.
The result leaves the Chollima rooted to the bottom of the group, facing their third match within a week against a side that can afford to rest some of their star performers. Nonetheless Jo has said his side will do their best to win the match.
So will the Chinese be impeded by a champagne hangover, will DPR Korea break their tournament record of 88 long balls? Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8pm (AEDT) to find out the answers to these critical questions.
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