Korea, Syria play out goalless draw in World Cup qualifier

Korea's Ji Dong-Won, right, fights for the ball with Syria's Abdulrazak Al Husein during the World Cup 2018 qualifying football match in Seremban, Malaysia, Tuesday. / AP-Yonhap

By John Duerden

Korea’s hopes of qualifying for a ninth successive World Cup received a setback on Tuesday with a 0-0 tie against Syria at the Paroi Stadium in Malaysia.

The point gives the Taeguk Warriors four from their first two games in the final round of qualification for the 2018 World Cup after the 3-2 victory over China in Seoul last Thursday.

But it was a frustrating night in Malaysian humidity ― the neutral venue chosen due to the security issues in Syria. Korea had chances but was unable to put the ball in the net against a committed Syrian defense and acrobatic goalkeeper who was not afraid to fall on the floor after making a save and wasting a few seconds.

There was perhaps an assumption that a win was inevitable against the West Asians, especially when the game was not played over in the Middle East but in Malaysia. And while the Koreans dominated possession and always looked the likelier to score, Syria lived up to its pre-match promise that it would not just sit back and defend.

Korea’s Kwong Chang-Hoon, right, fights for the ball with Syria’s Amro Jeniat during the World Cup Group qualifying football match in Seremban, Malaysia, Tuesday. AP-Yonhap

The team counter-attacked quickly and in the first half, Oh Jae-suk was lucky to stay on the field after fouling Mahmoud Al Mawas who was looking to break free and run on goal.

Yet this was not a controlled performance for Korea. For all the two-thirds possession the team had, there were few clear chances created. Central defender Kim Young-gwon, Koo Ja-cheol and Lee Jae-sung all had opportunities but there was a lack of composure in and around the penalty area.

While Syria did its utmost to break any Korean rhythm with a variety of time-wasting tactics, the fact is that had Korea scored then there would be no time-wasting at all. And the fact is that Korea rarely looked like scoring and only rarely was any passing move put together.

Perhaps the best moment came early in the second half. Lee Chung-yong released Lee Yong down the right side and received the ball back from the defender. The first time shot from the Crystal Palace winger forced a diving save from Ibrahim Alma. Frustration levels grew when Kim Young-gwon wasted a good chance from the subsequent corner.

There were few positives to take from the game with the biggest that the team did not lose. Coach Uli Stielike, sweating on the sidelines, must have wondered if things would have been different if star attacker Son Heung-min had been with the team instead of returning early to England and his club Tottenham Hotspur.

Four points from the first two games is not bad for Korea but it should be pointed out that, on paper at least, it has played the two weakest teams in the group. Korea’s next game comes at home against Qatar on October 6, followed by Iran and Uzbekistan. The Taeguk Warriors need to improve.