DOHA – North Korea were forced to dig deep to salvage a point against a rampant United Arab Emirates as they opened their Asian Cup campaign is less than convincing fashion Tuesday.
The Koreans withstood a barrage of UAE pressure throughout the 90 minutes at the Qatar Sports Club Stadium. After North Korea captain Hong Yong-Jo squandered an early penalty, the UAE gradually shifted into top gear, attacking a disorganised Korean side up to the half-time break.
Hong’s spot kick bounced off the bar in the eighth minute after Hamdan Al Kamali clipped down Bochum ace striker Jong Tae-Se in the box to earn a yellow card.
From then on it was mostly UAE with captain Subait Khater banging a 30-metre free kick from the right straight into Korean goalkeeper Ri Myong-Guk in the 17th minute. Ahmed Khali’s turnaround strike from just outside the area also found its way toward the goalkeeper just minutes later.
He squandered another chance soon after when he failed to beat Ri one-on-one in a goalmouth scramble. The Gulf side continued attacking with Al Kamali heading a free kick over the bar.
Striker Ismaeil Matar then volleyed a cross in front of the goal on the break but the ball went wide on the half hour. The Gulf side resumed their onslaught five minutes after the interval with Khater sending a 30-metre screamer over the bar. Matar fired another power-packed long-range shot high five minutes later, drawing roars from UAE supporters who outnumbered their Korean counterparts several times at the stadium with one third of its 12,500-seat filled.
Earlier, a 10-man South Korea saw off plucky Bahrain 2-1 on Monday. At a less than half-full Al Gharafa Stadium – something which will embarrass the controversial 2022 World Cup hosts – the Koreans needed the aid of a mighty deflection to break Bahrain’s stubborn first-half resistance. And the Koreans, who had dominated for long periods, were left hanging on after Bahrain pulled a goal back from the penalty spot five minutes from time after defender Kwak Tae-Hwi brought down Abdulla Al-Dakeel inside the box.
Kwak was also dismissed in the incident as the game unexpectedly reached a grandstand finale.
Bahrain kept the Koreans, World Cup finalists, at bay until five minutes before half-time, when Koo Ja-Cheol’s shot deflected in. Koo completed his brace seven minutes into the second half, side-footing into an empty net from a matter of yards after the goalkeeper had done well to claw out a dipping effort from South Korea right-back Cha Du-Ri. Kwak looked bemused as referee Abdullah Mohamed Al Hilali showed him the red card with five minutes to play, but he undoubtedly clipped Al Dakeel’s heels as the substitute raced into the box. Faouzi Aaish duly netted from the penalty spot but the Koreans held on.
Meanwhile, Qatar coach Bruno Metsu admitted on Tuesday that it was imperative his team win their Asian Cup clash with China to keep the reputation of the 2022 World Cup hosts intact. The veteran also knows his job could be on the line, with failure on home turf not likely to be tolerated.
