TASHKENT, Uzbekistan -- When South Korea take on Uzbekistan for a crucial World Cup qualifying match later Tuesday, they will count on their stars to shine and spark the stagnant attack.
The match at Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent will kick off at 8 p.m. local time, or midnight Wednesday in Seoul. South Korea will qualify for their ninth consecutive FIFA World Cup with a victory.
But anything less will complicate the picture, especially with both Uzbekistan and Syria sitting just two points back in Group A of the final Asian qualifying round.
South Korea boast a major edge in the head-to-head record with 10 wins, three draws and one loss all-time against Uzbekistan. But South Korea have struggled mightily away from home in the current round. South Korea have not won in four away matches so far, while getting blanked in three of those.
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South Korean midfielder Son Heung-min practices in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Sept. 3, 2017, two days prior to his team`s World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan. (Yonhap) |
Despite bringing in offensive-minded head coach Shin Tae-yong two months ago, South Korea suffered from virtually the same old problems in their scoreless draw against Iran in Seoul last Thursday. The offensive build-ups were predictable, passes weren't often sharp enough, and the finish around the net left much to be desired. South Korea recorded zero shot on goal.
One of the disappointing players was Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min, who has just recovered from a broken right arm suffered in June. While he has thrived in his Premier League club, Son hasn't scored internationally since last October, a span of six matches. Since the start of 2016, Son has just one goal in his past 10 matches for South Korea.
Son had a banner year last season in the Premiership, netting 21 goals in all competitions to become the highest South Korean scorer in a single European season. He still has a chance to silence skeptics who say Son tends to wilt under the spotlight in international play.
Son said he was "disappointed" with himself for not having scored more for the national team, but his focus remains on the team, not on any personal glory.
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South Korean forward Lee Dong-gook practices in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Sept. 3, 2017, two days prior to his team`s World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan. (Yonhap) |
"It isn't important at all who scores in (Tuesday's) match," Son said at a pre-match press conference at Bunyodkor Stadium on Monday. "The important thing is to win. I will compete with a sense of responsibility, and try to help the team win."
Son does have good history against Uzbekistan, having netted both of South Korean goals in the team's 2-0 win in the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup quarterfinals in January 2015.
But none has fared better against Uzbekistan than Lee Dong-gook, the oldest member of the team at 38. The all-time scoring leader in the K League Classic has scored a team-high four goals against Uzbekistan.
Lee is back on the national team for the first time since October 2014, but played just six minutes against Iran. When announcing his selection of Lee, head coach Shin said he wasn't just going to be a token veteran, and that Lee still had enough skills to make a difference on offense. Lee's 33 goals lead all players on this roster.
Another 30-something veteran, Lee Keun-ho, could get a chance to take the field, after sitting out against Iran. He has two goals against Uzbekistan in his career, and when he and Lee Dong-gook faced Uzbekistan together, South Korea posted three wins and one draw. Lee Keun-ho has 19 goals to rank second behind Lee Dong-gook on the team.
FC Augsburg midfielder Koo Ja-cheol has been clutch for South Korea, and has scored in each of the team's past two meetings against Uzbekistan.
In a World Cup qualifier last November in Seoul, Koo scored an 85th-minute go-ahead goal to secure a 2-1 win.
Koo didn't get to flaunt his offensive skills against Iran, as he was forced to play as a holding midfielder in the absence of injured Ki Sung-yueng. Ki has been taking part in practices here and could take the field on Tuesday, which will return Koo to his more familiar position as an attacking midfielder. (Yonhap)
