Asian Cup: China aim for top spot against ROK

World
Europe

02:19

Tonight's action at the ongoing AFC Asian Cup will see China going up against the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Group C as the Chinese side is hoping to cement their place at the top of the group. Both sides have already reached the knockout stages and the match in Abu Dhabi will determine the group leader.

Leading on goal difference after the first two games, Marcelo Lippi's boys will clinch the top spot if they avoid defeat in the mouth-watering last group league clash.

Lippi has already denied reports that midfielder Wu Lei will go back to China for surgery on his collarbone after suffering a knock during China's first group match against Kyrgyzstan.

China's coach Marcello Lippi during the practice session ahead of his side's match against the ROK, UAE, January 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

The Shanghai SIPG forward was fit enough to score a brace in the team's 3-0 win over the Philippines, but his Italian boss may not risk him in today's game. Lippi, the coach of the 2006 World Cup-winning Italy team is likely to start Yu Dabao, who also has netted two goals from the bench in the tournament so far.

Despite his side living up to the expectations in the first two games, Lippi knows the game against the ROK will be the biggest test till date in the continental tournament.

A cautious Lippi said, “First of all, we need to pay great attention to the defense when the game starts. However, we cannot just play defensive football the whole game. The ROK are a strong team, and if you only defend, it's very easy to lose goals, so we need to be confident and do what we are able to do.”

South Korea's coach Paulo Bento looks forward to his side's final group league game against China in the pre-match press conference, UAE, January 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

“We need to put some force in attacking and find chances to score. So we need to be balanced in defending and attacking.”

Meanwhile, the ROK's head coach Paulo Bento said he was uncertain whether Tottenham star Son Heung-min would feature against China or not. Son has played in 12 games in just over a month and arrived on Monday – the day his club suffered a 1-0 home defeat against Manchester United in the English Premier League.

The ROK's footballers practice ahead of their final group game against China in the AFC Asian Cup, UAE, January 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

The 49-year-old Portuguese coach of the Korean side believes his side has more than enough to defeat China with his team not tasting any defeat since he took over in August.

Bento mentioned, “We want to win and we know as well that our opponent has a small advantage. They can have two results (win or draw) in order to achieve the first position, while we only have one result that can get us to the first position, so we need to take risks. To attack and try to play as we want to play.”