Drama looms in Asian finale

• Two some-more Asian nations will win gift to Russia on Tuesday
• Korea Republic and Uzbekistan accommodate in a intensity winner-takes-all competition
• Australia and Saudi Arabia resolutely matched in a hunt for a other ticket

Three-cornered contests dawn vast as Asia’s third subordinate turn for a 2018 FIFA World Cup Russiaâ„¢ reaches a end on Tuesday. Korea Republic lead a approach in Group A with feat adequate to see them bind a second subordinate mark behind a already-qualified Iran. Syria and Uzbekistan, meanwhile, contingency win and wish that other formula go their approach if they are to bind lass World Cup qualification.

The same can be pronounced of Group B where both Australia and Saudi Arabia enter a matchday seeking to explain a remaining berth. Even United Arab Emirates gulf a slimmest mathematical wish of an involuntary mark to Russia 2018.

In further to a dual involuntary slots, dual play-off places are also adult for grabs. Even Marcello Lippi’s China PR’s are not ruled out, with a world’s many populous nation in with an outward possibility of securing a play-off position should they finish third.

The match
Uzbekistan-Korea Republic Bunyodkor Stadium, Tashkent, 20:00 internal time
Leading by dual points, Shin Taeyong’s visitors know that their predestine is resolutely in their possess hands, with feat in Tashkent adequate to book a tenth World Cup entrance regardless of other results. If Korea Republic’s unapproachable head-to-head record is anything to go by, a Taeguk Warriors will get a pursuit done. Indeed, a easterly Asians have remained undefeated in all past 7 subordinate meetings opposite a former Soviet commonwealth sketch dual and winning five, including entrance from behind to delight 2-1 in a initial leg of this campaign.

Narrowly trailing Syria on idea difference, Uzbekistan need to win and presumably by a integrate of goals. To grasp that, manager Samvel Babayan is all too wakeful that his side contingency urge their potential upfront, carrying suffered dual waste on a trot. They will demeanour to a goal-scoring ability of Marat Bikmaev, who non-stop a scoring in a dual sides’ first-leg encounter, while immature Rostov striker Eldor Shomurodov is able of causing headaches. New captain Kim Younggwon stays a pivotal male during a behind for Korea Republic, while both Koo Jacheol and Son Heungmin will find to rediscover their goalscoring form.

#WCQ | Group A (ASIA)
China PR 1-0 Uzbekistan
Korea Republic 0-0 Iran
Syria 3-1 Qatar pic.twitter.com/vM6vRaiyRP

— #WCQ (@FIFAWorldCup) August 31, 2017

The other attractions

Never before have Syria come so tighten to World Cup qualification, with a feat during Tehran potentially adequate to send them to Russia 2018. They not usually need to win opposite Iran, nonetheless wish that Korea Republic remove by a slight domain in sequence to say their slight goal-difference lead over Uzbekistan. With lass gift in sight, though, a Syrians are confronting what is arguably a toughest charge of this debate with Iran nonetheless to concur a singular idea in a group. In a sense, it is expected to be a strife of dual rising stars, with in-form Omar Khribin shouldering goalscoring wish for Syria and Mehdi Taremi spearheading a aggressive line for Iran.

Sitting second from bottom in Group A, China’s hopes are slim, a fact concurred by Lippi. They contingency win opposite a already-eliminated Qatar by a large domain and wish that both Syria and Uzbekistan remove if they are to sign an doubtful play-off place. Gao Lin, who scored a match-winner opposite Uzbekistan final week, stays a pivotal male upfront. However, 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar won’t give adult though a quarrel and captained by Hassan Al Haidos, they will be encouraged to hang adult a debate with a delight during home.

Trailing Saudi Arabia in Group B on idea difference, Australia know that they have no choice nonetheless to win large during home opposite Thailand if they are to bind second place behind Japan. Having mislaid to Japan final week, Ange Postecoglou’s side are underneath vigour to put on an softened showing. With 5 wins and a pull in a past 6 meetings opposite Thailand, a gentle home win looks within a Socceroos’ grasp. However, they will be heedful of a visitor’s captain Teerasil Dangda who netted a prop in final November’s 2-2 draw.

Saudi Arabia perform organisation winners Japan in what is a must-win encounter. In a sense, a Green Falcons have a worse charge than Australia, deliberation that they have never won opposite a Samurai Blue in World Cup qualifying, including losing 2-0 in a initial leg of this campaign. Elsewhere, United Arab Emirates would need a spectacle to realize their flickering hopes. They contingency better Iraq by a outrageous domain and wish that both Australia and Saudi Arabia humour defeat.

#WCQ | Group B (ASIA)
Thailand 1-2 Iraq
Japan 2-0 Australia
United Arab Emirates 2-1 Saudi Arabia pic.twitter.com/BbEdoYw0sl

— #WCQ (@FIFAWorldCup) August 31, 2017

The player
Veteran captain Firas Al Khatib’s knowledge will be pivotal if Syria are to crack Iran’s rock-solid rearguard. With 27 general goals from 56 matches, a 34-year-old is a team’s tip goalscorer and most-capped player. He returned to a inhabitant side final week after a prolonged interregnum and done an evident impact by environment adult Khribin for a opener.

Do we know?
Both Uzbekistan and Syria enter a final matchday within touching stretch of lass World Cup qualification.

What they said
“When we took over a team, we had only a indicate (from 5 matches). But we have always asked my players to give their all even if the chances are slim. It was extraordinary for us to strech this theatre (of qualifying) so there are no excuses to give up.” China manager Marcello Lippi

Matchday 10 fixtures
5 September
Group A:
Uzbekistan-Korea Republic
Iran-Syria
Qatar-China PR

Group B:
Saudi Arabia-Japan
Australia-Thailand
Iraq-United Arab Emirates

Article source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=9/news=drama-looms-for-asian-finale-2906651.html