DPR Korea ties 1-1 with Saudi Arabia in Asian Cup first half

The team DPR Korea tied 1-1 with Saudi Arabia in the first half of AFC Asian Cup's second round in the group stage here on Wednesday.

Having been knocked out of the Asian Cup at the group stage in their last two appearances at the finals (2011 and 1992), DPR Korea are looking to defeat Saudi Arabia and push their claims for a berth in this edition' s knockout phase.

DPR Korea broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when Yong-Gi scored into an empty net, the first goal for DPR Korea in AFC Asian Cup for 23 years.

Later on, Saudi Arabia started to control possession more and opening chances. Their hard work got paid off in the 36th minute when Naif Hazazi's shot equalized the game.

Saudi Arabia almost scored another goal in the 42nd minute, but only saw Nawaf Alabid's briliant shot denied by DPR Korea's goalkeeper Ri Myong Guk.

Saudi Arabia lost every single one of their three AFC Asian Cup group stage matches at Qatar 2011 and began Australia 2015 with another defeat beaten by China 1-0 in their openning match last Saturday.

This is the ninth international meeting between these two teams and DPR Korea have only won one of their previous eight.