Korea, Uzbekistan to clash in third qualifier


Lee Dong-gook, one of the best scorers in the Korean professional football league, will spearhead South Korean attacks against Uzbekistan in the Asian qualifying round for the 2014 World Cup.

Manager Choi Kang-hee is said to have nearly lined up starters from the cream of domestic- and European-based players for South Korea’s third qualifier in Tashkent on Tuesday.

Under his Plan B, Lee may be replaced by Park Chu-young of Celta Vigo in the top Spanish competition, La Liga, probably late in the second half if Lee tires. 

The forward striker, who scored 14 points in 27 games so far this season in Korea, is to be backed up by Lee Keun-ho of Ulsan Hyundai in the K-League, Kim Bo-kyung of Cardiff City in the English second division, and Lee Chung-yong of the Bolton Wanderers also in England’s second division. Lee Chung-yong will play for the national side for the first time after South Korea’s 2-1 win over Ghana on June 7.

Ki Sung-yueng of Swansea City, an English Premier League club, and Ha Dae-sung of FC Seoul in the K-League will likely start as midfielders.

Lee Jung-soo of Al Saad, who scored twice for South Korea at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, will man the defense, alongside Kwak Tae-hwi and Ko Yo-han. For the left defender, boss Kang is weighing two options: Yun Suk-young of the Chunnam Dragons in the K-League and Park Joo-ho of a Swiss league FC Basel.

South Korea is favored over Uzbekistan. It is 27th in FIFA rankings, with Uzbekistan 70th. In the head-to-head records, Koreans lead Uzbeks with seven wins, one draw and one loss.

But the unfamiliar setting of an away game, one-sided cheering against visitors and home turf advantages in refereeing may give some boost to Uzbekistan.

Moreover, the Uzbek squad has three members with experience in the K-League. Midfielder Server Djeparov, a two-time Asian footballer of the year, played for FC Seoul. Forward Alkeksandr Geynrikh spent the 2011season with Suwon Samsung Bluewings. Captain Timur Kapadze played for Incheon United.

Ten countries in two groups of five are in the final Asian round contention. In Group A, South Korea leads with six points after beating Qatar 4-1 and Lebanon 3-0 in June. Uzbekistan is fourth with one draw and one loss. Iran and Qatar have four points apiece.

The top two countries from each group will qualify for the 2014 World Cup. The two third-place nations will clash in a playoff for an extra ticket.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)