Thursday, November 10, 2011

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11.11. (Fri) 13:45 Un. Ar. Emirates - South Korea

South Korea v Lebanon - Park Chu-Young, Cha Du-Ri & Ji Dong-Won
Getty Images


 PROBABLE LINEUPS

UAE

Iceland
Nasser
Mohammad, Saeed, Fawzi, Mousa
Al Hammadi, Fawzi, Khated, Al Wehaibi
Matar
Al Kathiri

SOUTH KOREA

Portugal
Jung SR
Cha DR, Lee JS, Kwak TH, Chul Hong
Hong JH, Lee YR
Koo JC
Seo JJ, Park CY, Ji DW
UAE coach Dr Abdullah Misfir has vowed to offer his side "more freedom in attack" for this do-or-die clash, with a defeat in this game all but ending their hopes of progress. However, Misfir hasn't been happy with the preparation for the game, with last week's Pro-League games followed by the Al Adha feast. Misfir has headaches too, with key defender Hamdan Al Kamali struggling to be fit, while striker Mohamed Al Shehhi needs further tests on an injury which will rule him out.

Taeguk Warriors boss Cho Kwang-Rae hasn't had a great week, with Celtic midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng being ruled out of the game following an illness which his club said wasn't handled well by the coach or the Korean Football Association. Ki could be replaced in midfield by central defender Hong Jeong-Ho or Yoon Bit-Garam, while Seo Jung-Jin is likely to continue in attack ahead of Hamburg's Son Heung-Min. Kwak Tae-Hwi looks to have got the nod in the centre of defence, while Cha Du-Ri returns at right-back after injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • The last time these two nations met in Dubai was during the 2010 Fifa World Cup qualifiers, with the Koreans winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Park Chu-Young and Ki Sung-Yueng.
  • UAE dismissed coach Srecko Katanec in early September after their poor 2011 Asian Cup and ordinary start to 2014 World Cup qualifying.
  • Katanec's replacement, Misfir, is UAE's 18th coach in the past 15 years.
  • South Korea, meanwhile, are a much more stable team, with Cho Kwang-Rae taking over after the 2010 World Cup. Cho has won 11 matches in charge, drawn five and lost two.
  • Korean centre-back Lee Jung-Soo has been celebrating the Asian Champions League title which he won with Qatari club Al Sadd. Lee's side beat Koreans Jeonbuk Motors on penalties in the final, although he missed his spotkick.

Prediction
UAE remain a team lacking co-ordination and organisation, while South Korea have quality all over the park and a sound playing style. However, the Taeguk Warriors aren't overly convincing on the road, but should be too good in Dubai against a side low on confidence.
Editor's Prediction
UAE 1-2 South Korea