Asian Cup 2019: Han Kwang-song has horror show in Saudi Arabia v North Korea report card

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  • Saudi Arabia made a comfortable start at the 2019 Asian Cup as they shared out the goals in a 4-0 defeat of 10-man North Korea.

    The lively Hattan Bahebri expertly curled in a 28th-minute opener against solid opponents at Rashid Stadium, stacked deep in a 5-4-1 formation. Perugia loanee Han Kwang-song then came to the fore, missing a sitter before the excellent Mohammed Al Fatil flicked in the second. Han was then sent off for a second yellow card in eight, wild, minutes.

    In the second half, Salem Al Dawsari showcased his talents to skip inside and deftly find the bottom corner before Fahad Al Muwallad made up for several misses with a late lashed finish.

    Here is the report card from this Group E clash:

    GOOD

    Filling in for Al Faraj

    Consternation and worry filled the Saudi Arabia ranks when inspirational Al Hilal midfielder Salman Al Faraj failed to prove his fitness on the eve of the tournament.

    He was one of few to impress at the World Cup. But there is still promise without him in the near-month – they hope – ahead.

    In Al Faraj’s absence, club-mate Abdullah Otayf was a picture of efficiency and Al Ahli Jeddah’s Housain Al Mogahwi injected experience.

    Digging in

    Mining positives is difficult for North Korea.

    From the moment Han saw red, a 4-0 defeat was probably the best they could have hoped for. For comparison, they went down to this scoreline against much-weaker Bahrain in last week’s final warm-up.

    They must now hope to keep 11 men and frustrate Qatar on Sunday.

    BAD

    Al Muwallad’s big misses

    Don’t let Al Muwallad’s last-gasp goal cover up a glaring weakness.

    The Al Ittihad superstar is a superb winger. But he showed, largely, at the World Cup and on Tuesday night, that he’s a genuinely false No9.

    In the first half, he shot straight at Ri Myong-guk and he’ll struggle to explain his errant curled effort after the break.

    With the inexperienced Mohammed Al-Saiari the only true striker in the squad, the Green Falcons could struggle for goals in the knockouts.

    Han’s horror show

    A year ago, Han was being linked to perennial Serie A champions Juventus.

    Fast forward to the present and he had a horror show.

    His free header at 1-0 was appalling, his second booking less than 10 minutes later unforgivable as he went through Al Mogahwi.

    KEY MOMENTS

    28 mins GOAL: Saudi go wide and Bahebri breaks international duck in style with supreme curled effort.

    35th min CHANCE: Han has Saudi goal at his mercy, but heads over.

    37th min GOAL: Al Fatil’s back-heeled volley sends a free-kick into the bottom corner.

    44th min RED CARD: Han goes through back of Al Mogahwi and it’s an early bath.

    70th min GOAL: Al Dawsari – who else? – skips through and fires in.

    87th min GOAL: Al Muwallad, belatedly, thumps home from close range.

    TACTICAL TALKING POINT

    Al Shehri’s snub

    Al Nassr winger Yahya Al Shehri’s crown as the golden boy of Saudi football has long slipped.

    Last season’s – unused – Leganes loanee didn’t even come off the bench in Dubai.

    With only two goals and one assist in 13 Saudi Professional League games this term, Pizzi’s trust in the likes of Bahebri and Abdulaziz Al Bishi was correct – and justified.

    VERDICT

    Saudi Arabia – A

    The Saudis showed patience against deep-lying opponents, then shared four goals between them.

    A strong start ahead of Saturday’s Lebanon clash.

    North Korea – C

    North Korea were broken by their own indiscipline and limitations.

    It looks like it’s going to be a short stay in Dubai.

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