Korea Republic secured qualification to next year’s FIFA World Cup on Tuesday
A goalless draw in Uzbekistan ensured the Taeguk Warriors their spot at Russia 2018
Korea Republic join Iran and Japan from Asia at the world finals
Korea Republic became the latest Asian side to join Iran and Japan at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ next summer after a 0-0 draw away to Uzbekistan on Tuesday ensured the Taeguk Warriors finish in second place of AFC Round 3 Group A, and with it, claim the automatic qualification spot.
New head coach Shin Taeyong's Korea Republic side played in two goalless draws in the latest round of qualifying: a 0-0 draw at home to group winners Iran and a scoreless draw away to Uzbekistan.
Iran had proven all campaign to be strong in defence and had not conceded a single goal going into the match in Seoul, so the draw was not a major disappointment for the Taeguk Warriors. However, against Uzbekistan, Korea Republic hit the woodwork on several occasions, so they will be leaving Tashkent scratching their heads as to how they failed to get on the scoresheet.
Russia 2018 will be the tenth total and ninth consecutive time that Korea Republic have appeared at the world finals (1954, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018).