History, good or bad, waits for Korea in Uzbekistan

By John Duerden

It comes to this, precisely what the suits at the Korea Football Association (KFA) did not want. South Korea travels to Uzbekistan on Tuesday for the final group game in the third qualification round for the 2018 World Cup, needing a result to book a place in Russia.

To make matters worse, only a win in Tashkent will guarantee a ninth successive World Cup. It is not that the Taeguk Warriors are not capable of victory in the Uzbek capital -- they are, it is just that they have not shown such form for a long time.

Here is a quick recap. In nine Group A games so far, Korea has collected just 14 points. All but one has come at home. There should have been two more last Thursday but the team failed to break down Iran and drew 0-0 when a 1-0 win would have been enough to take the second of the group’s two automatic places in Russia.

To make it worse, Iran had already qualified as Group A winner.

So it comes down to Uzbekistan which is two points behind in fourth place. A win for coach Shin Tae-yong and it is all over, because second place will be secure. A tie and then Korea will need to rely on Iran not losing to Syria at home.

The Syrian threat is a new one. The team has come almost from nowhere to move into third to add an extra element on Tuesday. Syria has a tough trip to Tehran. Iran is not only unbeaten, but has not conceded a goal in nine games.

For Syria to have a chance of finishing second, it has to breach that backline. It is unlikely, but as Iran is already headed for Russia, and Syria is desperate, it is possible. The host will want to keep that defensive record for the entire stage, but Syria has the firepower to trouble the Iranian defense more than Korea did.

If Korea finishes third in the group, it enters the playoffs. That will entail an elimination game in October against Australia or Saudi Arabia. The winner of that Asian affair takes on the fourth-placed team from the North and Central American region with a World Cup place at stake.

The best thing then is to win on Tuesday, at whatever cost. Uzbekistan has been equally poor in recent games, but the atmosphere in Tashkent will be something else.

The country has come close to the World Cup before, but has always fallen short. Yet it is entirely possible that a win will be enough this time. The stadium will be packed and excited.

If Korea can start solidly and not concede in the first 20 or 30 minutes, then that will be a great start. More than the very organized Iran, the offensive minded Uzbeks will give Korea more space, and chances should come.

Korea has experienced players like Son Heung-min, Lee Dong-gook, Kim Young-gwon and Ki Sung-yueng and many more who played in the English Premier League and the Bundesliga.

They need all the experience and to keep their heads. It is going to be remembered for a long time. It will be a historic evening, for better or for worse.