AFC Asian Cup 2023: South Korea vs Malaysia: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The two-time AFC Asian Cup champions will be looking to finish the group stage with a win.

South Korea’s men’s football team will be up against a struggling Malaysia in the upcoming Group E contest of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup on 25 January 2024 at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar. The two-time Asian champions are sitting on second place in the group behind Jordan but both teams are level on four points. Winning the final match of the group stage will confirm South Korea’s place in the knockout stages of the AFC Asian Cup.

Malaysia came mighty close to recording a remarkable draw against Bahrain but a last-minute goal broke their hearts and knocked them out of contention for the knockout stages. It would never be easy for the world’s 130-ranked football team to compete at the tournament, but their fiery approach to the previous game won a lot of hearts. 

However, coming up against one of the favourites to win the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, with nothing left to play for, will be a difficult challenge for Malaysia. While they will hope to bow out with their heads held high, South Korea will look at the fixture as an opportunity to regain lost momentum due to the draw with Jordan in their previous game. 

Kick-off

Thursday, 25 January 2024, 5:00 PM IST (11:30 GMT) at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar.

Form

South Korea (all competitions): W-W-W-W-D

Malaysia (all competitions): W-W-D-L-L

Player to Watch

Son Heung-min (South Korea)

Son Heung-min is easily the most dangerous player in the South Korean line-up. The skipper is one of the biggest names at the tournament who captains both the national team and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. While he has not set the stage alight as expected at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, it is only a matter of time before the deadly attacker finds his rhythm and bags a bunch of goals for his team. 

Dominic Tan (Malaysia)

Dominic Tan was the pick of the players from Malaysia’s line-up against Bahrain. The centre-back made 10 clearances in a heroic performance that kept his side within the reach of a positive result until the end. With South Korea are expected to dominate ball possession and unleash an attacking barrage on the Malaysian defence, eyes will be on Tan to turn up once again. 

Match Facts

• There are 107 places between South Korea (23) and Malaysia (130) in FIFA Rankings for men’s national teams.
• Malaysia are the only team in Group E without a goal.
• South Korea have finished as runners-up in the AFC Asian Cup the most times (4). 

Head to Head

Total Matches Played – 45

South Korea wins – 29

Malaysia wins – 7

Draws – 9

Predicted Line-up

South Korea (4-4-2)

Jo (GK), Seol, Jung, Kim, Lee, Lee Kang-in, Hwang, Hong, Jae-Sung Lee, Cho, Son.

Malaysia (5-4-1)

Hazmi (GK), Davies, Saad, Cools, Tan, Corbin-Ong, Hanapi, Abba, Wilkin, Halim, Josue

Match Prediction for South Korea vs Malaysia

South Korea have better individual players and are too strong in all departments compared to Malaysia. It will likely be a walk in the park for them.

Prediction: South Korea 3-0 Malaysia

Telecast for South Korea vs Malaysia

India – Sports 18, Jio Cinema

Malaysia – Astro Go, RTM

Korea Republic – TVN Sports, Coupang Play

Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Oman – BeinSports, Alkass

United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Belgium, Netherlands – Triller TV

Australia – Network 10

AFC Asian Cup 2023 Worldwide Broadcast Details: Click here

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