Preview - Group E: Saudi Arabia v DPR Korea

Dubai: Saudi Arabia may be three-time Asian champions, but their rich history will count for nothing in their opening AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 clash against DPR Korea, according to head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi.

As a Copa America winner with Chile in 2016, the 50-year-old knows his way around a major tournament, and called on his players to get off to a strong start in their tenth successive appearance at the Finals.

"All tournaments are different from each other. and we can't evaluate the Saudi team in other editions of the Asian Cup thinking it might be repeated," he said.

"I think it is a good opportunity to implement our way of playing and overcome tomorrow's opponents. Previous results in this competition aren't something we can depend on in tomorrow's game.

"I respect all the opponents we might face and, personally, I think history doesn't count in this situation because you have to prove you are better than the opponent."

The injured Salman Al Faraj was discussed at the pre-match press conference at Rashid Stadium, and Pizzi said every effort was made to allow the midfield ace to recover before he was ultimately replaced by Nouh Al Mousa.

"We took as much as time as we could to declare the final playing list and we tried in every way to keep Salman with us," said the former Valencia boss.

"We understand and appreciate the effort made by Salman in trying to be with us, but unfortunately he didn't pass the final test in the final training session and that's why he had to call another player to the tournament.

"All of the other players are in excellent condition."

Pizzi's opposite number, DPR Korea head coach Kim Yong-jun, said his side have been dealt one of the opening round's most difficult draws, also rating fellow Group E sides Qatar and Lebanon as quality opponents.

But despite their fixture list, and failure to win a match at the Continental Finals since 1980, the 35-year-old boss believes the East Asians are capable of a more fruitful showing in this year's competition

"Of course I am expecting us to have a better result than in our tournament history and I have told the players that every player has to be together and play with team spirit for all 90 minutes," he said. "Everyone has to do their job."

Much of the pre-tournament discussion on DPR Korea has centred around the inclusion of 20-year-old Han Kwang-son, who has just two caps to his name despite a growing reputation in Italian professional football.

Kim confirmed the Perugia forward would not only start against the Saudis, but be counted on for goals.

"Yes, he is playing tomorrow and he is blending well with the other players," he said.

"His condition is very good and he has a good sense of scoring goals. We will be relying on him in tomorrow's match."

Kim, part of the DPR Korea squad as a player at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, will be hoping for a better result from the last meeting between the two sides in the competition, when Saudi Arabia defeated the East Asians 4-1 in Melbourne in 2015.


Source: the-afc.com