Seoul: Star striker Son Heung-min returns from suspension as Korea Republic look to get back to winning ways on the Road to Russia when they host Syria in Group A at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Tuesday on the back of a surprise 1-0 defeat to China last week.
The Koreans, who will be without the suspended Ji Dong-won, slipped four points behind group leaders Islamic Republic of Iran following the loss and sit just a point ahead of third-placed Uzbekistan. A second successive defeat would see Syria leapfrog Korea Republic and leave the East Asians’ automatic qualification hopes in the balance.
Omar Khribin’s stoppage-time penalty handed Syria a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan on Matchday Six to move within a point of the Central Asians and just two behind Tuesday’s opponents. Syria will now have serious ambitions to claim at least a top-three place, but will be unable to call on Omro Al Midani in Seoul after his booking against the Uzbeks.
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com