Will Singapore Make the Impossible Possible and Defeat South Korea in a Pivotal Asian World Cup Qualifier, Despite Being Heavily Outclassed on Paper?

Singapore

Singapore heads into the penultimate round of their Asian World Cup qualifying second-round campaign desperately searching for their first win in the group. Despite a promising start with a 3-1 aggregate victory over Guam in the first round, the Lions have struggled in the second round. Heavy defeats to South Korea (0-5) and Thailand (1-3) have left them languishing at the bottom of the group. Under new manager Tsutomu Ogura, they managed a spirited 2-2 draw at home against China, coming from two goals down. However, a subsequent 1-4 defeat away to China has left their hopes of advancing hanging by a thread. To keep their slim chances alive, Singapore must secure a much-needed victory against South Korea on Thursday and hope for favorable results in other group fixtures.

South Korea

South Korea arrives in Singapore aiming to cement their place in the third round of Asian World Cup qualifying. The Taegeuk Warriors have been dominant in their group, starting with a 5-0 thrashing of Singapore in the reverse fixture, followed by a 3-0 victory over China. Their campaign continued strongly in 2024, with a semi-final appearance in the AFC Asian Cup, although they were ultimately defeated by Jordan. Back in World Cup qualifying action, they drew 1-1 with Thailand in Seoul before securing a convincing 3-0 win in Bangkok. Now under the temporary stewardship of Kim Do-hoon, South Korea holds a three-point lead over China and a six-point lead over third-placed Thailand. They are well-positioned to book their place in the next round and aim to maintain their near-perfect record with another win on Thursday.

Prediction

With their sights set on an 11th consecutive World Cup appearance, South Korea is in a strong position to secure another victory and top their group. Singapore, on the other hand, faces a daunting challenge, needing a win to keep their faint hopes of progression alive. Given the visitors' superior form and track record, combined with Singapore's struggles, it is likely that South Korea will come out on top in this encounter. The Taegeuk Warriors' attacking prowess and solid defense should see them through, while Singapore will need to pull off a remarkable performance to cause an upset. Expect South Korea to dominate possession and create numerous scoring opportunities, potentially leading to a comfortable win.

Prediction: South Korea

Singapore vs South Korea stream and TV listing

Korea Republic: Coupang Play

Singapore: meWATCH

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