Kuwait tough test for Koreans to control their destiny
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South Korea’s Ji Dong-won reacts after the referee disallowed his goal during a friendly match against New Zealand at Seoul World Cup Stadium on March 31. Ji has returned to the national team for a World Cup qualifier and needs to impress coach Uli Stielike to become a regular member. / Yonhap
By John Duerden
The big game is coming. On Thursday, South Korea takes on Kuwait for a game that will determine how the rest of the second round of qualifications for the 2018 World Cup will go. Both teams have a maximum of nine points from three games but only the group winner is certain of progressing to the final stage.
Should Korea lose in Kuwait then the return game between the two teams in Seoul next year will be a must-win if it wants to finish first. Ending in second place means that you can only be part of the final 12 if you are one of the four best runners-up out of the eight groups. Korea would probably make it anyway but best to control your own destiny.
This is game four out of eight in the five-member group and while a good result in the Middle East is necessary, it is certainly in reach of a team that has been the best in Asia in 2015 and looks to be improving month by month. Unsurprisingly, coach Uli Stielike has called a similar squad to the one that thrashed Laos 8-0 in September and then went on to win comfortably in Lebanon. There are issues though.
Son Heung-min grabbed a hat-trick in the former game, just after his big move to Tottenham Hotspur in August for a record transfer fee for an Asian player of around $33 million. The 23 year-old has started well with the London club with three goals in September. He was absent from the Lebanon game because he had to return to the UK to finalize his transfer. A more common reason is likely to keep him out of Kuwait, a foot injury. He didn't play at the weekend for Spurs. Fellow attacker Lee Chung-yong of another London club, Crystal Palace, is also injured.
At least there are other European-based stars that are fit and are settling into their new seasons.
Five come from Germany. Koo Ja-cheol has impressed for new club Augsburg and is named along with German teammates Hong Jeong-ho and Ji Dong-won. Ji returns to the Taeguk Warriors and knows that he needs to impress the German if he is going to become a regular member. Left-backs Kim Jin-su and Park Joo-ho also come from the Bundesliga.
Ki Sung-yueng is finally getting into his rhythm in the English Premier League with Swansea City while striker Suk Hyun-jun keeps his place and is in good form for his Portugal club.
Goalkeeper Kim Jin-hyeon is injured and that means a recall for former No. 1 Jung Sung-ryeong.
Apart from the breaks, aches and sprains, there are few issues with the squad, there are no campaigns for the inclusions of certain players or outrage that a certain player is undeservedly selected. Stielike is building a settled squad and you now have to play well to get selected.
Kuwait will be a tough test. The Middle Easterners have three wins from three and are looking forward to the visit of the Taeguk Warriors. The two met at the group stage of the 2015 Asian Cup when Kuwait was unlucky to lose 1-0. After the game, the players felt it had been a missed opportunity but this is a different Korea team. There were multiple illnesses ahead of that game in Canberra and there has been progress made since then. Even with the injuries, Stielike's men are capable of getting the win.