AFC.com
South Korea secured qualification to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with a 2-0 win against Syria in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar at Dubai’s Rashid Stadium yesterday.
The win meant South Korea qualified for their 10th consecutive and 11th overall FIFA World Cup Finals, with a top two finish assured with two matches remaining.
Kim Jin-su was once again the centre of attention for all the good reasons, when he finally broke the deadlock with a goal that combined both full-backs.
Kim Tae-hwan sent a beautifully weighted cross to the onrushing Kim, who headed in past Ibrahim Alma in the 53rd minute to make it 1-0.
With 19 minutes to go on the clock, second half substitute Kwon Chang-hoon doubled his country’s lead after receiving a pass from Lee Jae-sung on the flank, before cutting inside and firing home from the edge of the box, with Alma standing little chance in front of the speed and swerve of the shot.
The loss means Syria have been eliminated, yet they still have two games to contend with the first coming against neighbours Lebanon in March, while Korea Republic will go into the next match against the Islamic Republic of Iran, also in March, with the top spot up for grabs.