Kuwait-95th (10th Asia)
Lebanon-159th (29th Asia)
South Korea-28th (3rd Asia)
U.A.E.-109th (15th Asia)
Schedule
September 2, 2011
- Lebanon at South Korea
- Kuwait at U.A.E.
- U.A.E. at Lebanon
- South Korea at Kuwait
- U.A.E. at South Korea
- Kuwait at Lebanon
- Lebanon at Kuwait
- South Korea at U.A.E.
- U.A.E. at Kuwait
- South Korea at Lebanon
- Kuwait at South Korea
- Lebanon at U.A.E.
Past International Records
Kuwait
- 2011 to date: 6-3-4
- 2010 WC Qualifying/Finals: 1-4-1
- vs. Group Opponents: 33-27-14
- 2011 to date: 1-4-0
- 2010 WC Qualifying/Finals: 1-6-1
- vs. Group Opponents: 4-20-9
- 2011 to date: 7-1-3
- 2010 WC Qualifying/Finals: 8-2-8
- vs. Group Opponents: 22-10-9
- 2011 to date: 3-2-3
- 2010 WC Qualifying/Finals: 4-9-3
- vs. Group Opponents: 21-23-16
Team Glimpses
Kuwait
One of likely two teams vying to join South Korea in Round , Kuwait have been on a tremendous roll of late. All 3 losses this year came at the beginning of January to top 7 teams in the region. Since, they have gone undefeated in 10 straight games, including draws with Bahrain and Jorda, a win over Saudi Arabia and a 6-0 beatdown of group-mate Lebanon in July. Kuwait's sights should be set squarely on U.A.E. in Group 2. In all likelihood, one and only one of those teams will advance and they are literally an evenly matched pair. All-time record between the two sides? 14-14-7. Kuwait is a young team with few big name standouts but one of the most experienced team members is goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Khaldi. Kuwait have only surrendered 3 goals in their 10 game unbeaten streak. If Al-Khaldi can help maintain that pace, they will be in good hands.
Lebanon
I said in my Asian qualifying breakdown that Lebanon had as good a chance as Kuwait and U.A.E. at advancing. I would officially like to retract that statement right now. Plain and simple: they are severely overmatched in this group. Lebanon played exhibition games against both Kuwait and U.A.E. in July, losing both games by a combined score of 12-2. They have never defeated either of South Korea or U.A.E. in a senior level match, having played 13 games against the two teams. Lebanon is going to struggle, and struggle greatly in this group. They also have the unfortunate task of a road game against South Korea to open the group. A trial by fire if there ever was one.
South Korea
Far and away the best team in the group, South Korea will be looking to make its 8th consecutive appearance at the World Cup Finals in 2014. South Korea has one of the largest talent bases to pull from in Asia with players being called up from the domestic league, Japan's J-League and from some of the major European leagues. South Korea could struggle due to the international retirement of Manchester United star Park Ji-Sung, but the sheer volume of young players they have in their system should make up for his absence. Best player in the side now that Park has moved on is Park Chu-Young, a striker who plays for Monaco in the French Ligue 1. Park is also the new captain of the South Korean side.
U.A.E.
Despite a 4-9-3 record in 2010 qualifying, it could actually be considered a successful campaign for the Emirates. Handily defeating Vietnam in Round 1, they were just able to squeak past Syria in Round 3. Once in the final Round 4, the lost 7 of 8 games, only managing a surprise draw with Iran in the middle of that campaign. They might not admit it but they were overmatched in that group. The experience gained from those losses will be invaluable going forward however. U.A.E. now knows what it needs to do, and what level it needs to achieve in order to get all the way to the end of Asian qualifying. A relatively young squad, only 4 consistent members of the national team have over 50 appearances with the team. Almost their entire roster plays in the domestic league which does not get much press so the team is always a bit of a mystery to opponents. One area that must be improved on is goalkeeping, as they gave up over 2 goals a game to opponents in Round 4 of the 2010 campaign. Expect newcomer Ali Khasif to be tasked with that chore.
September Games
Game 1
Lebanon at South Korea
September 2, 2011
Time: 7:00 am EDT
Location: Goyang Stadium, Goyang, South Korea
Game 2
Kuwait at U.A.E.
September 2, 2011
Time: 11:30 am EDT
Location: Al Qatara Stadium, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Game 3
U.A.E. at Lebanon
September 6, 2011
Time: 10:00 am EDT
Location: Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon
Game 4
South Korea at Kuwait
September 6, 2011
Time: 1:00 pm EDT
Location: Peace and Friendship Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait
One big marquee matchup and that is the opening day game between Kuwait and U.A.E. In my opinion, it's more important for Kuwait to get the win at this juncture, simply because they'll have South Korea to face 4 days later. Losing to U.A.E. on the 2nd could put Kuwait at 0-2 after 2 games, a mark they'll be desperate to avoid.
As was mentioned earlier, trial by fire for Lebanon who has to visit South Korea, then immediately turn around and come home to play a U.A.E. team that demolished them not even two months prior. Speaking of travel, look for a possible letdown from South Korea when they visit Kuwait on the 6th. Long trips in short succession between games are never conducive to a team's best performance.
Post-September Standing Predictions:
South Korea-6 pts
U.A.E.-4 pts
Kuwait-1 pts
Lebanon-0 pts
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