Asian Cup 2019: DPR Korea on a high ahead of Malaysia clash
Kuala Lumpur: DPR Korea will go into their meeting with Malaysia on Monday evening in buoyant mood, said coach Joern Andersen, after seeing his side pick up a morale-boosting win over Nelo Vingada’s struggling side on Friday.
The two teams face off against each other twice in four days and, with DPR Korea picking up a 4-1 win in the first of their games in Buriram in Thailand on Friday, the Norwegian is confident his players can build on the result.
“I think this game gives us some confidence,” said Andersen. “It was our first victory in a long time. We have played a lot of good matches and a lot of draws and we lost twice, so we didn’t have a lot of confidence.
“So this victory gives us confidence again because normally DPR Korea have a good strong team and recent results have not been so good so it was very important for us to get the victory to show the people that we have a good team and can win matches like that and against Hong Kong and other opponents.”
DPR Korea are level on five points with a Hong Kong side who face off against Group B leaders Lebanon, who are now assured of their place in the Finals in the United Arab Emirates in 2019 as a result of Malaysia’s loss on Friday.
The Lebanese will be featuring at the AFC Asian Cup finals for the first time since qualifying as hosts in 2000 while Hong Kong are still in the running to end their lengthy absence from the Finals.
Vingada, meanwhile, insists a change of fortune could be just what his side need to turn things around when they face DPR Korea again despite admitting the Harimau Malaya no longer have a realistic chance of qualifying for the Finals.
However, he insists that he sees signs of progress and that, with a bit of luck, things might start going their way.
“What I can see now, even though results are not positive, I feel our team can compete,” said Vingada. “I don’t feel there is such a big difference between us and the other teams. I think we deserve maybe one or two more points.
“But we never have any luck. In all games, some things seem to go against us but I never give up.
“I believe that Malaysia has potential and in the next year, without the pressure - because realistically we are out of the qualification - we can prepare the team and give more time next year in other tournaments.”
Vingada insists that the margin of defeat on Friday was harsh on his players but admits he may look to freshen things up on Monday.
“Maybe we will bring in some new blood because, for sure, we are at the end of the season,” said Vingada.
“We have less than 72 hours until the next game. We have to recover and try and organise the team, possibly with some different players.
“Even though DPR Korea were deserved winners, the defeat was very harsh concerning what happened during the game.
“We lost, but we didn’t lose our pride, our dignity and, of course, in the next game we have to be better, especially in terms of the result.”
Lebanon lead the group and, with Malaysia nine points behind with only two games remaining, Miodrag Radulovic’s side have secured their place in the Finals.
Hong Kong host the west Asians on Tuesday needing to pick up at least a point to keep their attempt to qualify on track, but Radulovic will not be allowing his team’s performance to drop off despite securing their place in the Finals.
“Our target is, until the end, to play at this level because from the first round we are on top of the standings and we want to finish first in the standings,” he said.
“Also, for the FIFA rankings, it’s very important because we move already 50 places up and the next draw for the World Cup will be very soon and each point is very important for us.”
Photos: AFC
Source: the-afc.com
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