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

Son Heung-min will lead South Korea’s line in the AFC Asian Cup 2023.

The 2023 AFC Asian Cup got underway on Friday with hosts and defending champions Qatar playing the opening game against Lebanon. Initially scheduled to be played in 2023, the Asian Cup returns to action after almost five years.

Group E’s opening match will see two time champions South Korea face off against Bahrain at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on January 15. South Korea were the team that eliminated Bahrain at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and the latter will be poised to settle scores.

Kick-off

15 January 2024 14:30 UTC

15 January 2024 17:00 IST

Form

South Korea (in all competition) W-W-W-W-W

Bahrain (in all competition) L-L-L-W-W

Players to watch

Son Heung-min (South Korea)

Son has not only been South Korea’s best player, but also Asia’s best player in the last few years or so. The Spurs forward will be keen to lead his country at Asia’s flagship tournament. Son is South Korea’s highest active goal-scorer with 41 strikes to his name. His experience and skills are known to everyone and will surely be a threat for Bahrain.

Sayed Mohammed Jaffer (Bahrain)

The goalkeeper is Bahrain’s most-capped active player. He has been a part of the AFC Asian Cup prior to this edition and knows what is at stake. The skipper is known for his reflexes and moves under the sticks. If Bahrain want to keep South Korea at bay, Sayed Mohammed Jaffer will have a very crucial role to play in it.

Match facts

• South Korea eliminated Bahrain in the last AFC Asian Cup
• The last time Bahrain defeated South Korea was back in 2007
• Last three games between the two sides at theAFC Asian Cup have ended in a 2-1 scoreline

Injury and Team News

Kim Jin-su is doubtful for South Korea while Ahmed Bughammar could miss the game for Bahrain.

Head-to-head

Total Matches played – 24

South Korea wins – 16

Bahrain wins – 3

Draws – 5

Predicted Line-up

South Korea (4-4-2)

Kim Seung-gyu (GK); Seol Young-woo, Jung Seung-hyun, Kim Young-gwon, Park Yong-woo; Jeong Woo-yeong,  Hwang In-beom, Hong Hyun-seok, Lee Ki-je; Son Heung-Min (C), Lee Jae-sung

Bahrain (4-1-4-1)

Sayed Mohammed Jaffer (GK) (C); Mohamed Adel, Amine Mohamad Hassan Benaddi, Waleed Al Hayam, Abdulla Al Khalasi;  Mohamed Al-Hardan; Ali Madan, Moses Atede, Jasim Khelaif Wahab Al Salama, Kamil Al Aswad;  Abdulla Yusuf Helal

Prediction for South Korea vs Bahrain

South Korea come into this game as clear favourites given the kind of players and quality that they possess. However, it won’t be very easy for them as Bahrain are not an easy nut to crack.

Prediction: South Korea 2-1 Bahrain

Telecast

India – Sports 18, Jio Cinema

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

For worldwide broadcast information, click here.

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