Neither Jurgen Klinsmann nor Roberto Mancini would have expected their paths to cross this early in the Asian Cup.
Klinsmann's South Korea and Mancini's Saudi Arabia weren't meant to meet at this point.
But between South Korea's troubled start and the Saudis topping their group as expected, the pair will meet at Education City Stadium in the round of 16, at 3am Wednesday AEDT.
It means one Asian giant and their high-profile manager will crash out in the round of 16, while the other will face a quick turnaround against Graham Arnold's Australia.
Klinsmann insisted he had no fear of Mancini - who has won the Premier League, Serie A and Euros as a manager - or his Saudi charges, who are set to have a hefty crowd advantage.
Former Germany, USA and Bayern Munich manager Klinsmann and his charges have been battered with criticism - from their poor results, conceding in all three games and drawing twice, to their playing style.
"I don't fear anybody. No fear but a lot of respect for every opponent," the German said.
"Roberto is doing a fantastic job, it's a step-by-step process that he had to go through. It's obviously a new adventure for him and a new adventure for me being in Korea.
"We have a lot of respect for Saudi Arabia. I've played Mancini many times in my career... You can now see his handwriting on the team after 10 games."
The German even copped it for smiling after Malaysia's late equaliser in their 3-3 draw - though he rejected the suggestion that was because it meant they finished second in their group and avoided facing Japan.
"My smile was because I saw it coming," he said.
"It was a game where we had nearly 85 per cent possession, 20 corner kicks, many chances and did not score another goal.
"Usually in football, this is what happens in the very last minute if you don't finish off the game, you get punished."
Mancini wasn't buying into any criticism of his coaching counterpart.
""We played against each other many years ago in Italy," Mancini said of Klinsmann.
"He was a very good striker and now he is a very good manager. He has a lot of experience with many national teams and clubs. He knows football very well.
"South Korea is a very good team. If they conceded six goals in the group stage, it doesn't change their strengths.
"They have very good players, they score lots of goals. But if they're conceding we know that if we attack we have a chance to score."
