South Korea on cusp of World Cup, while Uzbeks eye historic spot
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South Korea's Son Heung-min controls the ball against Jordan during a World Cup qualifier.
PHOTO: AFP
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HONG KONG – Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in, European trophy winners with their clubs, will hope to fire South Korea to the World Cup in the coming days with four remaining automatic spots from Asia up for grabs.
Japan and Iran have already sealed their berths at the 2026 tournament to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Group B leaders South Korea are guaranteed to join them on June 5 if they avoid defeat against Iraq in Basra. Even if they lose, they will have another opportunity at home against Kuwait on June 10.
South Korea and Tottenham Hotspur captain Son did not have his best club season, but the 32-year-old finished it by lifting the Europa League trophy. Attacking midfielder Lee on May 31 collected a Champions League winner’s medal with Paris Saint-Germain after they thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich, although he remained on the bench for the final.
South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo suggested Son will be used sparingly at the end of a long campaign in which the country’s talisman has struggled for form and fitness.
“Since we have two matches coming up, I will not push him too hard,” said Hong, who believes Son will have a role to play even if he does not feature against an Iraq side now coached by former Australia boss Graham Arnold.
“We will probably play in a hostile environment in front of partisan fans. We have some players who have had experience playing in these situations.”
Japan were the first country to qualify after running away with Group C.
With the top two from the three Asian groups automatically qualifying, second-placed Australia are in pole position to go through with Japan with two match days left.
The Socceroos host Japan in Perth on June 5 knowing that if they win and third-placed Saudi Arabia fail to do the same in Bahrain, they will qualify.
However, qualification will most likely go down to the final round of matches on June 10 when Australia travel to Saudi Arabia for a winner-take-all blockbuster.
“We’ve put ourselves in a good position within the group to be in control of our destiny,” said coach Tony Popovic, who took over the Socceroos in September 2024 following Arnold’s resignation.
Indonesia are still mathematically in the running for an automatic place in Group C, four points behind Australia and one behind the Saudis.
Patrick Kluivert’s side host China in Jakarta on June 5 followed by a trip to Japan. China’s World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread with them bottom of the group.
Even if teams do not finish in the top two of their pool, their World Cup hopes are not over.
Third and fourth go into a further round of Asian qualifying.
In Group A, where Iran have already qualified, Uzbekistan are on the cusp of their first World Cup.
Avoid defeat by third-placed United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi and the Central Asian country will make history.
For Asian champions Qatar, the best they can hope for is to come third or fourth and go into the next qualifying round.
They host Iran before travelling to Uzbekistan and will be coached for the first time by former West Ham United, Real Madrid and Spain boss Julen Lopetegui. AFP
