Asian Cup: Roberto Mancini says huge Saudi Arabia support can make difference

Roberto Mancini believes Saudi Arabia's overwhelming numerical advantage in the stands will give them the edge in their Asian Cup last-16 clash with South Korea on Tuesday.

Saudi supporters are expected to turn out in force for the match at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, evoking memories of the 2022 World Cup when the Green Falcons were one of the tournament's best-supported sides.

Mancini believes his team are improving with every game but knows they will have to be at their best against one of the pre-tournament favourites. His side are unbeaten so far in Qatar, winning two and drawing one of their three group games.

"We are happy because we will have 12 players on the pitch, our supporters will really push us, and you know now is a different time from [previous] matches against Korea," said Mancini, dismissing a 1-0 friendly defeat when the two sides met at Newcastle United's St James's Park last September.

"I am sure we will do a very good job and it will be a very good game. I think that in these four months [since being appointed] we improved a lot as a team, and it is very important we play as a team and not alone, because alone is difficult to stop their striker and offensive players. They are very good players but if we play as a team then we can do it."

In contrast to Saudi Arabia's fairly routine passage to the knockout stages, South Korea's path has been a chaotic one. A 3-1 win over Bahrain got things off to a positive start, but they looked disorganised and vulnerable in a 2-2 draw with Jordan, and especially in a 3-3 draw with rank outsiders Malaysia. Those two results left them second in their group behind Bahrain and on a collision course with Saudi Arabia.

Mancini said: "My opinion is that