UAE: South Korea The Team To Beat

As well as the Taeguk Warriors, the Gulf team have been drawn with Iran, Saudi Arabia and North Korea –who provide the opposition for the first match on September 6.

The top two automatically progress to South Africa.

“South Korea are the team that all others have to beat in this group,” said Faris according to UAE daily The National.

“They have a proven track record and are one of the fancied teams. But we never know what to expect in football.”

“Iran are the second most fancied team in the group, but having faced them twice in the earlier round I feel they are beatable. And Saudi Arabia and North Korea are not there to make the numbers.

“They are all strong teams and they wouldn’t be at this stage if they weren’t strong. It is very hard to predict who will come through.