In their seventh AFC World Cup qualifying group game, South Korea will welcome Oman to Goyang Stadium on Thursday.
The home side were held to a 1-1 stalemate by Palestine on November 19 in their last group match and are in first place with 14 points, while Oman were beaten 1-0 by Iraq on the same date and are fourth with six points.
Match preview
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South Korea dominated proceedings against Palestine in terms of shots – 16 to six – but they failed to generate a single big chance despite accumulating 74% possession.
The Tigers of Asia had only failed to score at least two goals in two of their prior eight matches, and they also kept five clean sheets in that time.
South Korea currently occupy the first of two automatic qualification spots for the World Cup and are five points ahead of third-placed Jordan with only four games left to play.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo‘s side are in outstanding form given they are unbeaten in nine fixtures, winning on seven occasions.
South Korea also boast an impressive record at home considering they are undefeated in 10 matches at Goyang Stadium, achieving victory six times.
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Opponents Oman played out an even match against Iraq – both teams created two big chances – but their inability to keep clean sheets cost them the chance of victory.
In fact, the visitors have only prevented their opponents from scoring once in their last eight competitive fixtures, and in none of their past six.
Boss Rashid Jaber will hope to avoid a repeat of his side’s 3-1 defeat against South Korea on September 10, a clash in which they conceded twice from the 82nd minute onwards, with their work to level the score just before the half-time whistle wasted.
Oman have been difficult to beat in the past weeks considering they have only lost one of their seven most recent outings, winning three and drawing three in that time.
However, the visitors are winless in their last four away games – losing twice – though they did win their previous two matches on the road.
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Team News
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South Korea may position centre-back Yu-min Cho alongside Kyung-won Kwon given regular Kim Min-jae withdrew from the squad due to injury.
In-Beom Hwang and Yong Woo Park could start in a double pivot behind attackers Kang-in Lee, Jae-sung Lee, Heung-min Son and Se-hun Oh.
As for Oman, goalkeeper Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini could be protected by centre-backs Ahmed Al-Khamisi and Ghanim Al-Habashi.
Elsewhere, attacking midfielder Abdullah Fawaz is likely to be supported in the middle of the pitch by Arshad Al-Alawi and Harib Al-Saadi.
South Korea possible starting lineup:
Jo; Seol, Cho, Kwon, T Lee; Hwang, Park; K Lee, J Lee, Son; Oh
Oman possible starting lineup:
Al-Mukhaini; Rushaidi, Al-Khamisi, Al-Habashi, Busaidi; Al-Alawi, Al-Saadi; Al Yahmadi, Fawaz, Al-Mushaifri; Al-Subhi
We say: South Korea 4-1 Oman
Oman are highly unlikely to keep a clean sheet given their defensive frailty, while South Korea’s goalscoring prowess could help them get the better of their opponents.
It is difficult to see the visitors avoiding defeat given their poor away form, and it would not be surprising if South Korea won by multiple goals.
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