Qatar lose to DPRK in final tune-up

AFC – DOHA,  Substitute Ryang Yong Gi struck a second half penalty to earn DPR Korea a 1-0 win in an AFC Asian Cup warm-up clash against hosts Qatar at Khalifa Stadium on Friday evening.

The Vegalta Sendai midfielder successfully converted from the spot in the 70th minute to give Jo Tong Sop’s team victory over a Qatar side that were playing their final warm-up match before kicking off the continental championship.

Qatar will open the AFC Asian Cup against Uzbekistan on January 7 and coach Bruno Metsu will be hoping for an improved performance from his team when they take on the Central Asian side.

Neither team created many openings in a slow paced game, although An Chol Hyok caused concern in the Qatar defence with an attempt at full-stretch, but goalkeeper Qasem Burahan blocked the shot.

Lawrence Quaye tried his luck for the Qataris from 30 yards in the 28th minute but his right-footed drive was off target while two minutes later the Koreans should have scored, only for captain Hong Yong Jo to pull his shot across the face of goal with only Burahan to beat.

Quaye presented one of the few threats to the DPR Korean defence with his long range shooting and he tried his luck again in the second half, but once more his effort was off target.

DPR Korea finally broke the deadlock with 20 minutes to go as Ryang converted from the spot to give Jong’s side the perfect boost as they enter the final phase of their preparations for the finals, which kick off against the United Arab Emirates on January 11.