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Katanec has plans for North Korean threat

DOHA - Coach Srecko Katanec admitted that UAE will have one eye on the future when they begin their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 challenge against DPR Korea on Tuesday but insisted that should not prevent them from trying to claim the continental crown.

Katanec’s side open their Group D account at Qatar Sports Club Stadium against a side that appeared at last summer’s World Cup with the Slovenian revealing he will likely field a youthful line-up. However, three points against the East Asians is still very much the target.

“You know we mix young players and experienced players but each coach wants to win,” he said. “I am not under the pressure (to win), I just want my team to play good football and even then the result will depend on many things. You know that we have very many young players, normally they are without experience but I will give them the chance because you don’t have many opportunities to play against strong teams.

“This is a strong tournament for young players, it will be a very good experience. It will give us good information as to who can play at this level and who cannot but at the end we want to win. I’d like to win if it is possible. We will play the first game and then we will see what will happen,” the coach said.

With both holders Iraq and three-time champions Iran to come, Katanec is keen to get off to a winning start but stressed all is not lost if they fail to win. “In each tournament the first game is the most important so what we will do tomorrow is very important but also if we lose we still have two games,” he added. “We are in very difficult group. All three teams are physically stronger than us. We must find a way to compete against them with a different kind of play.”

Katanec, though, is well prepared for the Korean threat. “I saw all their games so we have plenty of information about them,” he said.

“They played at the World Cup, they are physically strong and they are well prepared. They give you the impression sometimes during the game that they slow down then they immediately change the rhythm, so we must concentrate for 90 minutes against them. I don’t know if this is tactical but when you watch their games, they are always changing the tempo. When they attack, they do so in numbers and when they defend, they get men behind the ball. I have respect but we are not afraid. We are not favourites so we have nothing to lose. I hope my players they have the character to show they are not afraid to play football and to fight for the country,” Katanec added.