Asian Cup 2015: North Korea face Saudi Arabia, China take on Uzbekistan
UP FOR THE CUP: China continue Brisbane affinity as Socceroos eye either Uzbekistan or Saudi Arabia and Jordan star faces ban after botched drugs test.
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AT least it started well.
North Korea scored their first Asian Cup goal in 23 years to take a 1-0 lead over Saudi Arabia.
But it all fell apart thereafter and they will join Oman and Kuwait on an early flight home.
But it’s better news for near-neighbours China. Team Dragon have stormed into the final eight after upstaging Uzbekistan in Brisbane.
And on a controversial note, star Jordan player Ahmed Hayel faces a four-year ban after failing to provide a sample for a drugs test.
His federation claim the 31-year-old was in a “semi-coma” and suffered hypothermia after being made to drink “litres of water” by anti-doping officials.
RELIVE ALL THE ACTION FROM A BIG NIGHT IN OUR MATCH CENTRE
MATCH REPORT: SAUDI ARABIA PUNISH NORTH KOREA
NORTH Korea are encouraging their players to head abroad and on the evidence of Wednesday night, the quicker they do the better. The competition’s mystery boys surrendered the lead to lose 4-1 to Saudi Arabia, ending their hopes of qualifying for the knockout phase of the Asian Cup.
Technically adept, there was plenty to like about Chollima (Thousand-mile horse), but their naivety and tactical ill-discipline gifted a mediocre Saudi Arabia three points at AAMI Park. Despite coach Jo Tong Sop claiming a day earlier that the overseas-based quartet were largely to blame for the opening game loss to Uzbekistan, Swiss-based beanpole Pak Kwang Ryong was again a standout.
WATCH THE WILDEST OF WILD PENALTIES
IT was an insane passage of play that saw two shots, a handball, a red card, a penalty and the ball hit both posts and the crossbar. Already 3-1 down against Saudi Arabia, having not long conceded the third after comical defending, things went from bad to worse for North Korea in Melbourne.
CUP’S OPEN ARMS AND OPEN GOALS
AS thewound their way through the parkland towards AAMI Park, there was not a North Korean supporter to be seen. Plenty of Saudi Arabians piled off the South Morang train at Jolimont Station, skirting past the birthplace of Test cricket and the sprawling courts for this month’s tennis major, and made their way across the road to a stadium that in some ways resembled a cluster of modern Bedouin tents. One of the Saudi fans, a burly man with a thick black beard (no moustache) was happy to talk about how easily his team would account for the Koreans.
MATCH REPORT: CHINA SURGE INTO FINAL EIGHT
CHINA have reached the knockout stages of the Asian Cup for the first time since 2004, securing a quarter-final berth with a 2-1 win over Uzbekistan at Brisbane Stadium. The victory not only guaranteed China a spot in the last eight, it secured them top spot in Group B. With group positions being determined by head-to-head results ahead of goal difference should teams finish on the same points, China cannot be dislodged from first place by Uzbekistan or Saudi Arabia – both on three points - even if they lose to the North Korea on Sunday in Canberra.
HEADLINE MAKER
JORDAN STAR IS ‘SEMI-COMA’ AFTER DRUG TEST
JORDAN’S football governing body (JFA) claim that their star player Ahmed Hayel suffered a “semi-coma and hypothermia” after a botched drugs test. The striker potentially faces a four-year ban under WADA’s new rules, for failing to provide a sample after their loss to Iraq on Monday.
Hayel looks set to miss Friday’s crucial Group D game against Palestine at AAMI Park, pending a formal appeal lodged by the JFA.
SOCCEROOS WATCH
Jason Davidson denies moving to the EPL with WBA has hurt his Socceroos career
“As a player you want to be playing week in, week out, but … I haven’t regretted my move to England because it’s the biggest league in the world,”
Mark Milligan doesn’t mind playing ‘second fiddle to Mile Jedinak
“I’m just happy to be here and help the team as much as possible when called upon … I don’t mind playing second fiddle to the captain.”
Great start puts World Cup in perspective for Matt McKay
“In the World Cup we didn’t progress. We know now we’re progressing.”
Massimo Luongo adjusting to life in the limelight
“It’s difficult; my mind’s always wondering about will I be good this game, especially after all the attention I got in the last game.”
Socceroos could land Uzbekistan or Saudi Arabia in final eight
AUSTRALIA is edging towards an Asian Cup quarter final showdown with either Saudi Arabia or Uzbekistan after Wednesday night’s results plunged the two teams in to a head-to-head battle for second spot in Group B.
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NEWS WRAP
SOUTH KOREA coach Uli Stielike’s management skills have come to the fore, saying his team were “very, very lucky” to beat Kuwait, and admitted if they play the same way against the Socceroos on Saturday they’ll have “no chance”.
Meanwhile, the AFC have finally realised that time-wasting has become one of the most frustrating issues for fans, launching in a somewhat softly spoken campaign to encourage players to get on with it.
That’s why there are signs at every one of the Asian Cup games exhorting the teams to “Don’t delay, let’s play” — the culmination of a discreet campaign launched more than a year ago.
All of the participating nations have been briefed for months that referees intend to be strict with any players they suspect of time-wasting, including the feigning of injuries.
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THURSDAY PREVIEWS
GROUP C
BAHRAIN v UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
6pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra
TAB odds: Bahrain $5, Draw $3.40, UAE $1.70
THE PLOT
United Arab Emirates was arguably the most impressive winner from the first round of matches, while Bahrain, although competitive against Iran, did little to dismiss the theory that it is the weakest team in Group C. A win here for the UAE, coupled with an Iran win or draw against Qatar, would send it through to the quarter finals, while the reverse is true for the Bahrainis, who need a result here to stay in the hunt.
KEY PLAYERS
BAHRAIN
Imposing striker Jaycee John proved to be tough to handle for Iran’s defence when Bahrain got forward in Melbourne.
UAE
They weren’t awe-inspiring strikes, but two goals from six shots by Ahmed Khalil on Sunday proved he will be a force to be reckoned with during the Asian Cup.
QATAR v IRAN
8pm, ANZ Stadium, Sydney
TAB odds: Qatar $7, Draw $3.50, Iran $1.55
THE PLOT
Iran was impressive enough against Bahrain on Sunday and can set up a mouthwatering, group-deciding, clash with the UAE on Monday with a win here. Qatar is on the brink after its 4-1 capitulation against the Emirates, but following its Gulf Cup success in November was favoured by many - pre-tournament anyway - to upset Iran in this match. Plenty of interest in the stands too, with Iran’s fans providing a fantastic atmosphere in Melbourne on Sunday and expected to turn up in big numbers again in Sydney.
KEY PLAYERS
QATAR
Mohammed Muntari was dangerous going forward in the early stages of Sunday’s loss to the UAE and must be contained by the Iranians.
IRAN
Defender Ehsan Hajsafi supplied his nomination for goal of the tournament with a stunning volley late in the first half against Bahrain after coming forward for a corner.
Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: North Korea face Saudi Arabia, China take on Uzbekistan
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