SEOUL – South Korea is gearing up for a critical encounter with Saudi Arabia in the Round of 16 at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, bolstered by the return of two key players from injuries. The match is set to take place at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday local time, or 1 a.m. Wednesday Seoul time.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea, ranked 23rd in the AFC, concluded the group stage as the runner-up in Group E, securing five points from a win and two draws. In contrast, Saudi Arabia, positioned at No. 56, topped Group F with seven points, achieved through two victories and a draw. Both teams remained undefeated, albeit following different trajectories.
South Korea's journey in the group stage was marked by fluctuating performances. They commenced with a 3-1 win over Bahrain, propelled by a stellar second-half performance from Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in. However, subsequent matches saw the team squandering leads against Jordan and Malaysia, resulting in a 2-2 draw and a 3-3 draw, respectively.
Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, registered wins against Oman and Kyrgyzstan and a goalless draw against Thailand, characterized by missed opportunities and close calls.
A key highlight for South Korea in the tournament has been their command in ball possession, leading the group stage with 73 percent, closely followed by Saudi Arabia at 70 percent. However, South Korea also shares the distinction of conceding the most goals among teams progressing to the knockout stage, tied with Indonesia at six each.
South Korea's placement in Group E meant avoiding an early clash with top AFC team Japan, which experienced its own setbacks, finishing second in Group D after a surprising loss to Iraq.
The team's preparations have been boosted by the return of winger Hwang Hee-chan from Wolverhampton Wanderers and left-back Kim Jin-su from injuries. Both players, vital to the team's strategy, participated in the match against Malaysia without reporting any physical issues post-game.
Under the guidance of head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, South Korea aims to progress beyond the round of 16, building on their history of strong performances at Education City Stadium, where they notably clinched a knockout berth in the FIFA World Cup in December 2022.
As South Korea and Saudi Arabia prepare to face off, the anticipation for this crucial match grows, with both teams seeking to extend their undefeated run in the tournament.