Akande, fresh from Kitchee SC’s stunning win over Kashiwa Reysol in the AFC Champions League - a maiden three points for a Hong Kong club in the continental competition - is hoping that the representative side can create more football history when they face DPR Korea in Pyongyang.

Currently sitting three points behind the second-placed Koreans, a win would be enough for Hong Kong, thanks to the head-to-head record, to secure their first trip to the AFC Asian Cup since 1968. The-AFC.com caught up with the Nigeria-born forward ahead of the crucial tie to get his thoughts.

Ahead of DPR Korea's crucial AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 qualifier against Hong Kong on March 27, the-AFC.com spoke exclusively with national team player Ri Yong-jik to get his thoughts on the match and insights into the world of DPR Korea football.

What are your thoughts ahead of the final qualifier against Hong Kong?

We drew 1-1 away from home but had more of the ball and were attacking throughout, and in the end we just lacked a little luck. If we play as we are capable of we shouldn’t have any problems.

Is there a difference playing home and away?

In international football it is really different. At home the stadium is full with 50- or 60,000 fans, and they really get behind us. Speaking honestly, I think it’s the best home atmosphere in the world.

Hong Kong's task against DPR Korea is clear - they need to win to seal second place in Group B behind Lebanon as the three points will take them above the Koreans on a better head-to-head record.

DPR Korea have eights points ahead of the Matchday Six clash with Hong Kong three points behind. The corresponding tie at the Hong Kong Stadium on June 13, 2017 finished 1-1.

The task, however, won't be easy as DPR Korea are also eyeing a place in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Finals and they are a force to be reckoned with at the Kim II Sung Stadium in Pyongyang.

Group B winners Lebanon left the Kim II Sung Stadium with a share of the spoils after a 2-2 draw and Hong Kong need to do better than that to seal a place in the draw alongside the Continent's top teams. The draw will be held on May 4.

The Central Asian nation guaranteed themselves a finish in the top two places in the group and with it secured a ticket for the Finals in the United Arab Emirates next year.

Islam Shamsiev gave his side the lead after just two minutes and Anton Zemlianukhin doubled the advantage just three minutes later in a game that had been held over from Matchday Three and played in neutral Korea Republic because of security issues.

Zemlianukhin then claimed his second and Kyrgyz Republic’s third three minutes after the hour mark before Vitalij Lux tapped in the fourth and Bekzhan Sagynbaev scored a fifth to move Kyrgyz Republic five points clear of Myanmar with just one game remaining.

Krestinin’s side handed Myanmar a comprehensive 5-1 loss to guarantee themselves a top two finish with just one game remaining and with the Central Asian side due to face India in their final qualifying match on Tuesday, the head coach is now targeting pole position.

“We’re very happy with this win,” said Krestinin. “We have achieved qualification for the final stages of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 and this is the first time in the history of Kyrgyz football.

“I want to say thanks to all my players and staff, and to the fans who have always supported us in the important matches. We have been able to take the next step in the development of our football. The players and the country lived with the same dream: qualification for the Finals.”

Goals from Islam Shamsiev and Anton Zemlianukhin in the opening five minutes sent the Kyrgyz side on their way to an impressive win, with Zemlianukhin claiming a second before further goals from Vitalij Lux and Bekzhan Sagynbaev meant Kyaw Ko Ko’s goal was nothing more than a consolation for Myanmar.

Philippines only need a draw against Tajikistan in their final Group F tie on Tuesday to seal a first-ever appearance in the AFC Asian Cup and they were dominant against Fiji.

After several missed attempts, Philippines took the lead in the 29th minute through James Younghusband.

Eight minutes into the second half, Hikaru Minegishi doubled their lead and their fans were rewarded again in the 61st when Kevin Ingreso found the back of the net.

A lapse in concentration, however, saw Fiji pull one back through Ame Votoniu in the 74th minute.

Seven minutes later, Roy Krishna pulled another one back for Fiji from the penalty spot and that set the stage for a nervy closing minutes for the Azkals.

However, they held firm and with the win in the bag, they can now prepare for Tajikistan.

---

Iain Ramsay has played a big role in the Azkals’ improvement in recent years and, after the Philippines defeated Fiji 3-2 in a friendly on Thursday, the midfielder speaks exclusively to the-AFC.com ahead of the crucial Group F encounter with the Central Asians at Manila’s Rizal Memorial Stadium.

What is the mood of the squad as the game with Tajikistan approaches?

We are one win away from qualifying for the Asian Cup, everybody is focused and there is a real buzz around the camp.

It was an entertaining 4-3 victory to the Philippines when the sides met last June. What do you remember about that match?

The atmosphere was intense, they had a big home crowd and made it very exciting to play at their home ground. It was a tough physical game with high intensity, we don’t expect anything different come March 27. We managed to beat them at their home and we plan to do the same in our final game.