Korea Republic vs Paraguay
ANSAN, SOUTH KOREA – OCTOBER 07: Son Heung-Min of South Korea celebrates after team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier Final Round Group A match between South Korea and Syria at Ansan Wa Stadium on October 07, 2021 in Ansan, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
This is Korea Republic’s third friendly of this four-game window, and they’ll be looking for another confidence-boosting win.
So far this month, the Taegeuk Warriors have faced Brazil in which, despite being competitive for large parts, they were eventually hammered 5-1.
Then, on Monday, Paulo Bento’s side rediscovered that winning feeling, beating Chile 2-0 in Daejeon.
Hwang Hee-chan breaking the deadlock before Son Heung-min’s stunning stoppage time free-kick sealed the win.
Coming up on Tuesday, South Korea will conclude the window by taking on African heavyweights Egypt in Seoul.
Later this year, Korea Republic will feature at their 11th World Cup having now qualified for all ten editions since Spain ’82.
In Qatar, they’ll take on Uruguay, Ghana and Portugal so, with a tough looking group, preparation is key.
Visitors Paraguay have appeared at eight World Cups in their history, but have not failed to qualify for three in a row.
Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s side began this tour of the Far-East eight days ago, easily beaten 4-1 by Japan at Sapporo Dome.
So, including friendlies, los Guaraníes have won just five of their last 25 internationals.
Thus, Korea Republic are likely to easily win this one at Suwon World Cup Stadium.
Japan vs Ghana
(Top L to R) Ghana pose for a group picture during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Round of 16 football match between Ghana and Tunisia at the Ismailia Stadium in the Egyptian city on July 8, 2019. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)
Two teams with this November’s World Cup on the horizon meet in this Kirin Cup semi-final in Kōbe.
Japan have now qualified for seven consecutive World Cups, reaching the round of 16 in 2002, 2010 and 2018.
So far this month, the Samurai Blue have already played a pair of friendlies, hammering Paraguay 4-1 before a narrow 1-0 defeat to Brazil.
Thus, despite defeat in Tokyo on Monday, plenty of positives for Hajime Moriyasu who will be hoping his team gets back to winning ways here.
Ghana meanwhile book their ticket to Qatar in March by beating rivals Nigeria in the play-offs on away goals.
This means the Black Stars have now qualified for four World Cups, appearing at three in-a-row before missing out on Russia 2018.
Otto Addo’s team have played a pair of AFCON 2023 qualifiers so far this month, with mixed results.
They first hammered Madagascar 3-0, before an underwhelming draw with Central African Republic; Mohammed Kudus scoring in both games.
In the Kirin Cup, the third-place match and final take place on Tuesday with Chile facing Tunisia in the other semi-final.
Japan will very much fancy their chances of reaching that final.
Chile vs Tunisia
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – OCTOBER 10: Players of Chile pose for official photo before the match between Brazil and Chile for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifier at Allianz Parque Stadium on October 10, 2017 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images)
Earlier in the day at Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium, Chile take on Tunisia.
Of the two, only Tunisia have the World Cup to look forward to after they edged out Mali 1-0 in March’s play-offs.
This’ll be the Eagles of Carthage’s sixth appearance at the tournament, never getting past the group stages to date.
So far this month, Jalel Kadri’s side have been in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying action, putting four points on the board.
Tunisia demolished Equatorial Guinea 4-0 at home but were then only able to draw 0-0 in Freetown with minnows Botswana.
Opponents Chile have now failed to qualify for back-to-back World Cups, despite winning back-to-back Copa Américas in 2015 and 2016.
La Roja’s poor form continued in a friendly on Monday, losing 2-0 to Korea Republic in Daejeon.
Eduardo Berizzo has taken a largely inexperienced squad to Asia as Copa América 2024 preparations continue.
So, can Tunisia spring a surprise?
