Asian Games Re-draw Leaves Tougher Route for Korea Republic

Seoul, MINA — Kim Hak-bum had a feeling the Asian Games Indonesia 2018 football re-draw would have an impact on his team and the Korea Republic Under-23 head coach was proven right when the UAE were drawn in Group E on Wednesday.

That meant Korea Republic, the 2014 men’s football gold medallists, would have to play an additional group stage match in their bid to retain the title, The Gulf Today reported.

Wednesday’s re-draw in Kuala Lumpur was to include the UAE and Palestine, who were accidentially omitted during the initial draw in Jakarta on July 5.

Besides Korea Republic and UAE, Group E also has Kyrgyz Republic, Bahrain and Malaysia while Palestine joined hosts Indonesia, Hong Kong, Laos and Chinese Taipei in Group A.

Kim said playing an additional match would pose challenges to his squad but believed Korea Republic have a good chance of defending the gold medal won on home soil in 2014.

“Having to play one more match than other teams in such hot conditions will be an even bigger challenge than analysing opponents,” Kim said.

“But no matter how difficult our situation may be, it’s something we have to overcome. And I have faith in my players to come through and deliver a good result.”

UAE and Palestine’s inclusion increased the number of teams to 26 in the Under-23 tournament, which allows each country to field three over-aged players.

Group B has Thailand, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh and Qatar, while Group C will see 2014 bronze medallists Iraq, China PR, Timor-Leste and Syria.

Japan were the seeded team in Group D and they were drawn with Vietnam, Pakistan and Nepal.

Korea, the 2014 silver medallists, will face Saudi Arabia, Iran and Myanmar in Group F.

The top two teams in each group along with the four best third placed teams will advance to the Round of 16. (T/RS5/SR1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)