Kyrgyzstan vs South Korea Predictions

Defeat to China means that Kyrgyzstan really need to take at least a point from Friday’s game against Korea Republic to stand any chance of making the top two in Group C and qualifying for the knockout stage. Korea Republic have three points on the board, but weren’t entirely convincing against the Philippines and only won the game by one goal to nil.

Kyrgyzstan gave China PR a run for their money on Monday, leading at the break through a forty-second minute goal from Israilov. However, this proved to be a false dawn for the underdogs as an own goal from goalkeeper Matiash brought China back onto level terms five minutes into the second half and substitute Yu Dabao netted a winning goal for the favourites twelve minutes from time. The two teams shared the overall possession and Kyrgyzstan actually had more shots during the ninety minutes, but the difference in quality between the two countries told in the end.

Korea Republic certainly made hard work of their first group game against the Philippines, despite dominating the entire ninety minutes. Korea had 76% of the possession over the ninety minutes and twice as many shots on target as the Philippines, but the teams went in goalless at the half time interval. Just before the hour mark Korea Republic started to make their substitutions and it wasn’t long before they had the desired effect as the breakthrough arrived in the sixty-seventh minute from striker Hwang Ui-jo. The Philippines didn’t do enough to deserve anything from the match, but can be proud of their efforts against a far superior team, and on another day might have been lucky enough to pinch a point.

With three wins and three draws from their last six international matches, its Korea Republic who head into Friday’s game as the form favourites. Korea have recorded recent wins against the Philippines, Uzbekistan, and Uruguay, but could only draw with Panama, Australia, and Saudi Arabia. Kyrgyzstan have been more hit and miss in their last six internationals, picking up wins against Palestine, Jordan, and Malaysia, but losing to China, Qatar, and Japan. Anton Zemlianukhin is the danger man up front for Kyrgyzstan with 13 goals in 26 internationals, but at the age of thirty wont be around forever. Behind Son, Koo Ja-cheol has scored the most goals in this Korea Republic squad and will be looking to add to his nineteen international goals on Friday.

We’re confident that Korea Republic will win to nil against Kyrgyzstan, and have backed the final scoreline to end 2-0. Korea Republic have won three of their last six matches and have clean sheets in their last three internationals. Kyrgyzstan have lost three of their last six matches and have failed to score in two of their last four internationals played outside of their country, which is why we can’t see them stopping Korea Republic on Friday.