Korea DPR has just won The hero Intercontinental Cup 2019, after having a terrible losing streak. What makes this tricky group very interesting. https://www.foxsportsasia.com/footb...ental-cup-2019-after-1-0-win-over-tajikistan/
Turkmenistan 3 Korea DPR 1 Lebanon 0 Korea Rep 0 An interesting table at the half way point. Korea Rep lead on 8 points with mostly home games left. Lebanon and Korea DPR have 7 points with Lebanon a slight goal difference leader. Turkmenistan on 6 aren't out of it either.
Turkmenistan 2-0 Sri Lanka Lebanon 0-0 Korea DPR ( played in an empty stadium on security concerns) Now Turkmenistan tops this group H on 9 points, meanwhile Korea, Lebanon and Korea DPR are tied on 8 points. It is one of the most even groups, the South Koreans have not been very convincing, they must win at home at all costs if they do not want to suffer, the second place is not yet clear .... This is very exciting.
AT this stage South Korea have a game in hand and play three of their last four matches at home. The home games are against Lebanon, Turkmenistan and Korea DPR so Korea Rep is still in the drivers seat IMO. I don't think they can afford to lose a game though, and probably need 3 wins and a draw to win the group. With everyone of the top four taking points off each other it will be hard for the second placed team to qualify for the next round.
Korea Republic could win the group with 3 wins and 1 loss to finish with 17 points. Let's say they lose hosting Turkmenistan, which is their hardest remaining game. Lebanon and Korea DPR can get at most 17, and that would be 14 if they lose to Korea Republic. Both Turkmenistan and Korea Republic would win the group if they win out. If Korea Republic finishes with 17 including a loss to Turkmenistan, and Turkmenistan gets a win and a draw from their other two games, they would have 16 points, and Korea Republic would win the group. Turkmenistan is done playing Sri Lanka. Turkmenistan hosts Lebanon and goes to Korea DPR, and it's unlikely Turkmenistan wins both. If Korea Republic ends with 3 wins and a loss to Lebanon or Korea DPR, Lebanon or Korea DPR could tie for first with 17 points, but Korea Republic's goal differential of +10 is much better than Lebanon's +2 and Korea DPR's +1. TLDR: Korea Republic will probably win the group if they get 3 wins and 1 loss. https://www.theasiangame.net/behind-the-numbers-could-sri-lanka-stay-goalless/ is titled "Behind the Numbers: Could Sri Lanka stay goalless?" Sri Lanka is only in this round because Macau forfeited, and Sri Lanka could play ten games in two rounds without scoring! Sri Lanka is 203rd of 210* in the FIFA Rankings, and the worst team in AFC. * The FIFA Rankings used to have 211 teams, but Cook Islands were removed for not playing in four years.
No matches today Korea Republic 10 (+15) Lebanon 10 (+5) Turkmenistan 6 (-4) Sri Lanka 0 (-16) Korea DPR withdrew. Lebanon have the harder draw to finish (based on current standings) with games against Turkmenistan then Korea whilst Korea play Sri Lanka before they meet Lebanon. If both Korea and Lebanon go into the final game with 13 points its still likely both will move on to the next round. Turkmenistan go to Asian Cup group stage and Sri Lanka to the playoff round.
Lebanon squandered a huge chance to advance as they lost to Turkmenistan 3-2. Even a draw would have probably sent them through as one of the best 5 runners up. Now they’ll probably need a result against South Korea, who may be resting some players as they’re pretty much through.
I think South Korea are definitely through as even if Lebanon beat them 9-0 and they finish second 13 points will still see them through as a best 5 second placed team.
Lebanon needs at least three of these to happen (I put the games in chronological order): 1. Kyrgyz Republic doesn't beat Japan, or Kyrgyz Republic beats Japan and Tajikistan beats Myanmar 2. Jordan doesn't beat Australia 3. Iran loses to Iraq 4. UAE loses to Vietnam 5. Uzbekistan loses to Saudi Arabia
No matches today Korea Republic 16 (+21) Lebanon 10 (+3) Turkmenistan 9 (-3) Sri Lanka 0 (-21) Korea Republic and Lebanon WCQ round 3 and Asian Cup 2023 Turkmenistan ACQ group stage Sri Lanka ACQ playoffs