Korean soccer team draws Laos, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia

INCHEON (Yonhap) ― South Korea will take on Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Laos in the group stage of the men’s soccer tournament at the upcoming Asian Games at home.

At the draw held in the Asiad host city of Incheon, just west of Seoul, Thursday, South Korea ended up in Group A with the three countries.

The men’s competition features 29 nations. There will be five groups of four nations and three groups of three teams.

South Korea is seeking its first Asiad gold in men’s football since 1986. It finished third at the previous Asian Games in 2010.

Japan, the defending Asiad champ, ended up in Group D with Kuwait, Iraq and Nepal. North Korea is in Group F with China and Pakistan.

The Asian Games will hold the opening ceremony on Sept. 19, but the football competition will get underway on Sept. 14.

The Asian Games are for players under 23, while each team is allowed three “wild card” players over that age limit.

South Korea has never faced Laos at the U23 level. Against Malaysia, South Korea holds the edge with five wins, one draw and one loss.

South Korea and Saudi Arabia, considered the host’s biggest rival in Group A, have faced each other five times in U23 matches.

South Korea has two wins, two draws and one loss from those five matches.

Lee Kwang-jong, head coach of the men’s team, said he was satisfied with the draw, despite having to face Saudi Arabia.

“I figured we’d end up with one of the better teams anyway,” Lee said of Saudi Arabia.

“I guess it will only make our players work harder in their preparation. We will try to improve our organization over the next month or so.”

South Korea will open the group stage at 5 p.m. on Sept. 14 against Malaysia, and then will face Saudi Arabia at 8 p.m. on Sept. 17. The final group match will be against Laos at 5 p.m. on Sept. 21.

South Korea must finish among the top two in the group to advance to the knockout stage.

For the women’s event, South Korea ended up in Group A with Thailand, India and Maldives.