World Cup Qualification for South Korea concludes on Wednesday evening (midnight kick off Korea time) with a super important and must win game against Uzbekistan. South Korea go into the game at the Stadion Bunyodkor knowing that a win will seal a place in the finals, but a defeat might end all hopes.
AFC World Cup 2018 Qualifying Update
The Group A table so far;
Iran have already booked their place in Russia and are 7 points clear at the top of the group. South Korea sit in 2nd place, only a point ahead of Uzbekistan. Syria are 3 points behind them in 4th, with Qatar and finally China sitting at the bottom maybe now out of the running.
Uzbekistan vs. South Korea – Preview and Prediction (Wednesday September 6th 2016 at 12am – Korea Time)
South Korea:
South Korea have a strong recent history regarding World Cup Qualification, having made the finals 8 times on the bounce now. With their best performance coming in 2002 when they reached the Semi-Finals on home soil. They haven’t impressed during qualification so far and a defeat in Uzbekistan could mean a free summer next year. They also have an awful away record losing 3 and drawing 1 of their last 4 qualifiers away from home. They drew with Iran last week 0-0 and didn’t offer much going forward.
Key Player: Tottenham Hotspur Striker Son Heung-Min had a fantastic 2016-17 season for Tottenham and will be looking to bring some of that form into the national side.
Uzbekistan:
Uzbekistan have never qualified for the World Cup since first entering back in 1998. They did however finish 4th in the 2011 Asian Cup. The home side require a win to secure at least a playoff place and possible spot in Russia in 2018. They’ve lost their last 2 world cup qualifiers, but both were away from home. At home they are generally stronger.
Key Player: Former Seongnam and Ulsan midfielder Server Djeparov brings in a ton of experience plus knowledge of the Korean playing system. He could be key for Uzbekistan.
Head-to-Head:
These sides have played each other 13 times over the years with the record looking like this;
South Korea 9
Draws 3
Uzbekistan 1
Uzbekistan have only beaten South Korea once back in 1994. Korea won the last clash 2-1 back in November last year.
Prediction:
Uzbekistan 0 – 1 South Korea
They will be a very close game, with half an eye on the Syria-Iran game. We see Korea narrowly edging this one and claiming a place in Russia 2018. However recent form means it could go the other way.
Uzbekistan vs. South Korea (World Cup 2018 Qualifier) Result
Uzbekistan 0 – 0 South Korea
The game played out as many expected, slow, dull and boring. Neither side could afford to lose and in the end the game ground down to a goalless draw. South Korea booked their place in Russia due to Iran drawing with Syria who picked up 3rd place. Uzbekistan ended qualifying in 4th place and will have to wait 4 years for another shot.
Highlights:
Finally
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Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org
Modern Seoul 