Group B Preview: DPR Korea, Hong Kong eye the big prize

DPR Korea sit in second place in Group B behind already-qualified Lebanon and three points ahead of Hong Kong meaning a draw will be enough for the east Asian nation to secure a spot at the Finals for the third tournament in a row.

“After almost two years as national team coach for the DPRK, we will play the last AFC Asian Cup qualifying match against Hong Kong on Tuesday,” said the Norwegian. “It will also be the last match for me as coach of this team.

“My contract will finish on March 31 and I will leave the country, so we hope for victory and a positive finish.

“After playing a very good tournament in December in Tokyo in the East Asian Championships, we have seen that this DPRK team is almost at the same level as Japan and Korea Republic, the best teams in Asia.

“My team has taken a big step and they have a lot of confidence ahead of this match against Hong Kong.”

The two nations met in Hong Kong in June with the teams sharing the points in a 1-1 draw at Hong Kong Stadium. 

That, coupled with a narrow win over Hong Kong in the qualifying rounds for the East Asian Championship in 2016, has ensured Andersen is not underestimating Tuesday’s opponents.

“I think after the last two matches against Hong Kong, the teams know each other well,” he said. “We know that Hong Kong have a good team with many foreign players, who are physically very strong.

“Also, we know the situation for us is very good. If we don’t lose the game we will qualify for UAE 2019.

Hong Kong are attempting to secure a spot at the Finals for the first time since 1968 and have travelled to Pyongyang without Tan Chun Lok and Sandro, who are both suspended.

But striker Jordi Tarres is available after shaking off an injury and the Kitchee man believes the team will have no issues with the cooler conditions or the pitch at the Kim Il-sung Stadium.

“We have started to get used to the style of artificial grass we will find in DPR Korea and we are focused on the game and have been preparing as well as possible from the first day,” said Tarres.

“I prefer it being a little bit colder rather than the heat. When you have to run, the heat is worse but when it’s eight or 10 degrees then you feel as a player more comfortable, so that’s good.

“I think the game will be like a chess game. We need to read the game and put on the pitch what we need. 

"We need to avoid conceding a goal early in the game and try to keep a clean sheet and then be patient. 

"I’m sure we will have several chances and we need to take these chances and come back happy to Hong Kong.”

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