World Cup 2022: South Korea Host Iran in Crucial Showdown

Korea Republic vs Iran

Top spot in AFC World Cup 2022 qualifying Group A will be on the line when South Korea host Iran in Seoul. Both nations have already qualified for Qatar with several games to spare, but they will still be hoping to end the campaign on a high.

The South Koreans will be especially keen to beat their old Asian rivals, not only to overtake them in the standings, but also to end their extended winless run against them.

And their World Cup 2022 odds of doing so at home have received a huge boost with the likely absence of a couple of Iranian stars due to Covid.

Talking Points

Son and Hwang back to boost South Korean attack

South Korea have been taking care of business in the third round of World Cup qualifying. They are still unbeaten in eight games and have won each of their last four matches since playing out a 1-1 draw with Iran back in October.

South Korea’s defence has been rock-solid in this round. They have conceded just two goals in eight games and have kept four clean sheets in a row, which has to please head coach Paulo Bento.

Meanwhile, star forwards Son Heung-Min and Hwang Hee-chan were both absent in their latest round of qualifiers away against Lebanon and Syria, but the South Koreans did just about enough to squeeze out the victories they needed.

The good World Cup 2022 news for the Taeguk Warriors is that their Premier League stars are back in the squad to bolster their attack against Iran.

Hwang suffered an injury scare in Wolves’ win at Everton, but he bounced right back and appeared as a substitute in their shock 3-2 defeat against Leeds United, who came back from two goals down in the last half hour.

Meanwhile, Son will be in fine form after scoring a brace in Tottenham’s 3-1 win over West Ham. Son is the country’s top scorer in the third round of qualifying with three goals and has 30 goals in 96 international caps for his country.

Iran lose key players due to Covid

Iran are in the driver’s seat to win Group A. They are currently on 22 points and hold a two-point lead over South Korea.

Like the South Koreans, Iran have built their success on the foundation of a strong defence. They have conceded just two goals through their eight qualifiers and kept clean sheets in their back-to-back 1-0 home wins over Iraq and UAE last time out.

However, Iran coach Dragan Skoi has been struck a major blow as several key players, including star striker Mehdi Taremi and midfielder Alireza Jahanbakhsh, have tested positive for Covid and look set to miss out.

Taremi’s absence will be especially crucial. The 28-year-old is having a terrific season for Porto with 16 goals and 13 assists in all competitions. He is also Iran’s most reliable goalscorer in the third round of World Cup qualifying with four goals.

With Taremi absent, Sardar Azmoun will likely lead the Iranian attack in Seoul. The 27-year-old Bayer Leverkusen striker, who has just recently recovered from an injury, has a terrific strike rate for his country with 39 goals in 60 games.

History

Iran and South Korea played out a 1-1 draw in their first meeting in Tehran in October. Son Heung Min had given South Korea the lead just after half-time, but Alireza Jahanbakhsh equalised 14 minutes from time to salvage a point for the hosts.

It was the third consecutive draw between the two Asian superpowers and the seventh straight game Iran have avoided defeat against South Korea.

The Taeguk Warriors have beaten Iran just once over the last 15 years. That came in the quarter-finals of the 2011 Asian Cup, and South Korea still needed extra-time to top their rivals.

All in all, Iran have a 13-9 edge over South Korea in terms of wins, with 10 draws.

Betting Tip 

SBOTOP odds have South Korea installed as 2.12 favourites to beat Iran, who are priced at 3.30. Meanwhile, a draw is at 2.90.

The advantage is quite clearly with South Korea. Not only will they be at home, but they will also have their two star strikers in Son and Hwang, while Iran will be without Taremi, which is a huge blow to their attack.

South Korea will also have significantly more motivation in this match; they must win to end their long winless drought against Iran and also to jump ahead of the Iranians in the standings.

With all these factors in mind, look for the Taeguk Warriors to finally get that much-awaited win over Iran in Seoul.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.