Asian Cup 2015: China coach Alain Perrin says Suncorp surface could ruin Socceroos clash
CHINA coach Alain Perrin says Suncorp Stadium’s shabby pitch may ruin the Asian Cup quarterfinal spectacle when it faces the Socceroos on Thursday.
CHINA coach Alain Perrin claims Suncorp Stadium’s shabby pitch may ruin the Asian Cup quarterfinal spectacle when it faces the Socceroos on Thursday.
China knows Suncorp well, featuring twice during the Asian Cup before beating DPR Korea on the perfect Canberra Stadium pitch 2-1 on Sunday night.
Perrin is also worried about having 24 hours recovery time than Australia for the do-or-die clash after the Socceroos lost 1-0 to Korea Republic on Saturday in Brisbane.
“During the first two games we saw that the pitch conditions are not good,’’ Perrin said.
“We watched the match (between Ausralia and Korea Republic) yesterday and now I think it’s a pity for a knock out match to be played there.”
Perrin also called for Asian Football Confederation officials to consider installing goal-line technology - like the 2014 FIFA World Cup - or extra referees assistants after a chip from China’s Yu Hai in the first half appeared to cross the goal-line.
Camera replays were inconclusive
“I think goal-line technology is helpful for the referees,’’ Perrin said.
“If in the future we can have this for the Asian Cup it would be very good.”
But Perrin was satisfied with his side’s performance despite DPR Korea putting China under all sorts of pressure in the second half.
He also praised China’s double goal scorer Sun Ke.
Ke won the man-of-the-match award after leaving the pitch with a head injury in the 71st minute.
But Ke declared he will be fit to face the Socceroos.
“Australia is a strong team,’’ Ke said.
“They are the hosts, the next match is very difficult for us we need to do what we should do and we need to concentrate.”
While Ke bristled with confidence after it was his brace which gave China a perfect 2015 Asian Cup record, DPR Korea coach Jo Tong-sop believes his side will take this experience to the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers kick off this year.
After suffering from three Asian Cup Group B defeats DPR Korea grew better with each match and can count themselves unlucky not to come away with at least a point during its final match in Australia.
The Koreans took the game to China.
It was kick started by an own goal 11 minutes into the second half.
DPR Korea’s So Hyon-uk rattled the crossbar with a thunderous 82nd minute 25m volley and China keeper Wang Dalei made a brilliant save deep in stoppage time.
“Our matches were not satisfactory but a valuable experience for the whole team,’’ Tong-sop said.
“In a word I can say that this tournament will be a very good experience and motivate our team for further success and the qualification matches for the 2018 World Cup.”
The two nations were rewarded by the Asian Football Confederation, winning a prize for its “don’t delay play’’ campaign which is trying to stamp out time wasting tactics.
The match fulfilled 65 minutes and 17 seconds of actual playing time.
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