Monday, November 14, 2011

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15.11. (Tue) 13:30 Lebanon - South Korea

Hassan Maatouk (Soth Korea Vs Lebanon)
Getty


 PROBABLE LINEUPS

LEBANON

Iceland
Al Samad
Dayoub, Najjarin, Saeed, Al Saidi
Chaito, Zreik, Faour, Antar
Atwi, El Ali


SOUTH KOREA

Portugal
Jung SR
Cha DR, Lee JS, Kwak TH, Lee YR
Hong JH, Koo JC
Yoon BG
Seo JJ, Lee KH, Son HM
Lebanon coach Theo Bucker has masterminded a stunning campaign for the Cedars so far, topped off by the 1-0 win in Kuwait on Friday where they employed long-ball tactics which worked to a tee. However, he has injury worries from that game, with former Bundesliga defender Youssef Mohamad (leg) and Abbas Kenaan (knee) both forced off inside the opening quarter of an hour. Bucker will also be without forward Hasan Maatouk who is suspended, but the in-form goal hero in Kuwait, Mahmoud El Ali, will continue up front.

Korea coach Cho Kwang-Rae has some big headaches in attack, with skipper Park Chu-Young suspended after an accumulation of yellow cards, while fellow frontman Ji Dong-Won is in poor condition and struggled against UAE. Gamba Osaka forward Lee Keun-Ho came off the bench to score against UAE and should be given a start. Korea are also without Celtic midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng who has been battling an illness, meaning a reshuffle in midfield with youngster Yoon Bitgaram to be drafted in as an attacking midfielder, while Lee Yong-Rae will drop to left-back to replace Hong Chul who wasn't at his best against UAE.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • These two nations met on matchday one of third round qualifying, with Korea thrashing Lebanon 6-0. Lebanon have improved incredibly since then, and if they beat Korea and Kuwait fails to defeat UAE, the Cedars will qualify for the fourth round.
  • Lebanon first entered into World Cup qualifiers for USA 1994, but have never reached the final round of qualifying through the AFC.
  • The Cedars lost all six matches at the same stage of qualifying four years ago, scoring three goals and conceding 14.
  • South Korea captain and striker Park Chu-Young (pictured), who is suspended for this game, has scored eight goals in their past five internationals, including a hat-trick against Lebanon earlier in qualifying.
  • The Taeguk Warriors have just lost once in normal time in their past 18 internationals.

Prediction
The Taeguk Warriors will be without some quality players for this clash and given they've already sealed their progression to the fourth round, Lebanon may never face them at a better time. Lebanon's long-ball tactics worked in Kuwait, but they'll need a bit more craft from Roda Antar here, although given their momentum, they're good value for a result.
Editor's Prediction
Lebanon 1-1 South Korea