Sin unperturbed by poor preparation
 

Ho Chi Minh City: DPR Korea coach Sin Ui-gin admitted his side's preparation for the AFC U-19 Women's Championship has been far from ideal but feels they can still match neighbours Korea Republic in their opening game at Thong Nhat Stadium.

Five members of Sin's squad were called up to play for the senior team during the recent Olympic qualifiers after five DPR Korea players were banned for violating FIFA's anti-doping rules at the recent World Cup in Germany.

It means the squad has only been able to spend a few days together but the DPR Korea boss is confident they have the game plan to take on their southern rivals on Thursday.

"Our team did not have enough time to train and get together so from tomorrow, I am going to organise the match in our own style," said Sin.

"It is not forward orientated, it is not always defending, but it is our style.

"Five women players from the senior team were handed disciplinary sanctions so they could not play in the Olympic qualification, so five players from this team had to go. After the Olympic qualification, we have had not much time for this tournament. So we have not had enough time."

But Sin refused to accept that the poor preparation makes his side underdogs.

"I expected the problem long ago. The time for training was not enough but we predicted that so we are ready to go."

Korea Republic, meanwhile, lost out in the final two years ago to Japan and coach Choi Duck-joo is targeting going one step further this time around in Vietnam, although he acknowledged they would have to usurp their more illustrious rivals in order to do so.

"Firstly we want to go to the World Cup and secondly we want to be champions," he said.

"Japan and DPR Korea are higher in the rankings than us so it is going to be very tough for us but we will do our best and put in every effort to win the game."

link: the-Afc.com