Kathmandu: DPR Korea coach Yun Jong-su believes that the Philippines can cause trouble to previous AFC Challenge Cup champions India and Tajikistan if they continue to play as they did in the defending champions' 2-0 win over the Azkals on Friday.
The 2010 AFC Challenge Cup winners were kept at bay for almost an hour, with the impressive Neil Etheridge saving a 16th minute penalty, prompting Yun's positive assessment.
"I would not be surprised if they cause problems to the other teams in the group," said Yun, who pointed out the Philippines have improved immensely over the past few years.
When asked if a 2-0 score against the tournament underdogs indicated a struggling performance from the defending champions Yun said:
"We wanted to win the match and it was a really difficult game to play. We are very happy to have come away with all three points as our objectives have been served."
Yun counterpart Hans Michael Weiss admitted that they lost a very good side and took a lot of positives from the defeat.
"We played and defended very well and to defend was our strategy as we knew that chances would come along the way," he said.
"We did get a chance very early in the match but Philip (Younghusband) missed a great opportunity. Had that gone in who knows what would have happened in the match?"
"We conceded a penalty which, I believe, shouldn't have been given but overall, I can see a lot of positives from the match."
The Azkals take on India on Sunday in a crucial encounter for both sides while DPR Korea will try to build on their opening win when they face 2006 champions Tajikistan, who defeated India 2-0 to gain revenge for their defeat in the 2008 final.
afc.com
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