Korea DPR 0-0 UAE

AFC – DOHA, UAE and DPR Korea played out a goalless draw at Qatar Sports Club Stadium as both sides began their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ Group D campaigns with a point apiece.

The North Koreans will be much the happier of the two sides after seeing their opponents spurn a number of openings, although Hong Yong-jo did miss an early penalty for Jo Tong-sop’s team.

DPR Korea had a golden opportunity to take the lead in just the sixth minute when Hong hooked a long ball over the top into the path of the onrushing Jong Tae-se, who was bundled to the ground by Hamdan Al Kamali in the box.

Hong stepped up to take the penalty himself but his side-footed effort came back of the bar and away to safety.

The UAE stepped up a gear after that and they wasted a succession of chances to take the lead in the first-half.

Ri Myong-guk’s poor punch in the 17th minute fell straight to Ismail Al Hammadi on the edge of the box but his shot fortuitously hit the Korean keeper’s leg and the danger was averted.

Cha Jong-hyok then sliced a clearance straight to Ahmed Khalil on the right side of the box but Ri was quickly out to block the forward’s attempt.

Al Kamali then escaped the attentions of the Korean defence in the 26th minute to meet Subait Khater’s vicious inswinging free-kick but his back header from close range flew narrowly over the bar.

Khalil curled an effort just beyond the far post before Amer Abdulrahman’s long ball picked out an unmarked Ismaeil Matar in the box but the dangerous striker steered his volley wide of the target as the two teams went in at the break deadlocked.

The UAE still looked the more dangerous side as the second period got under way and Matar came close to a spectacular opening goal but his powerful snap shot from 30 yards was just too high, much to the relief of a diving Ri.

DPR Korea subsequently managed to blunt Srecko Katanec’s side’s attacking edge for much of the second-half with UAE enjoying the better of the territorial advantage but unable to penetrate a determined backline.

The East Asians offered little at the other end, however, with star striker Jong largely ineffective and the Bochum man’s night ended early when he was replaced with eight minutes to go.

Ri denied Al Hammadi at his near post with two minutes remaining after the ball broke to the midfielder when Matar’s bustling run was partially halted by the Korean defence and the keeper had to be alert immediately afterwards to palm away substitute Saeed Al Kathri’s glancing header from Khater’s cross.