Korea faces Kuwait in decider

By Kang Seung-woo

The Korean football team is set to square off against Kuwait, looking to keep its hopes alive for an eighth-straight appearance at the World Cup finals.

Choi Kang-hee’s side has a slight lead over Lebanon on goal difference in Group B of the third round of qualifying for the Brazil World Cup in 2014, with the Middle East nation two points back.

But to advance to the 10-team final qualifying stage, the Red Devils need at least a draw with Kuwait, ranked 96th in the FIFA rankings.

Even though Korea stands much higher at 34th, Kuwait have played better against the Korean squad than their world ranking indicates, with previous meetings resulting in eight wins and as many losses along with four draws. The last match between the two nations in September ended in a 1-1 tie despite forward Park Chu-young putting Korea ahead early in the first half.

Kuwait can reach the next stage by defeating Korea, so the Taeguk Warriors are expected to face a far tougher test than in the previous battle.

Determined manager Goran Tufegdzic and his men arrived in Korea on Thursday, six days ahead of the match, and have trained at 9 p.m., the game time for the qualifier, in preparation for the do-or-die game.

“We’re in a tricky position going into the last match and we know we have to win,” Tufegdzic told the official FIFA website.

“But as far as I’m concerned, the fact we have to focus solely on victory is good for us. Nothing is impossible, as this qualifying group has shown. Nobody expected the South Koreans to lose in Beirut, but they did, and some of the big guns have slipped up in the other groups, too. We respect Korea Republic, but I’m convinced my team can beat them.”

Choi, appointed after the abrupt firing of Cho Kwang-rae, made a successful debut last weekend, as his side beat Uzbeks, who have already punched their ticket to the final qualifying round, 4-2 in Jeonju.

Striker Lee Dong-gook, to whom Choi has given his full backing despite skepticism about the 32-year-old, lived up to expectations by scoring two goals. Moreover, last season’s K-League MVP has played well against Kuwait previously, scoring four times.

Despite the growing tension for the decider, Korea’s manager is confident.

“Players are showing solid performances, so I am seriously considering which formation I will employ against Kuwait,” Choi told reporters on Monday after a training session at the National Football Center (NFC) in Paju.

“Although it is a very tense match, I am looking forward to it (thanks to the players’ good showings).”