Peseiro points to three points

The hosts booked their place in South Africa with a 2-0 win in UAE on Saturday, leaving Saudi Arabia, DPR Korea and Iran battling it out for second place in Group B and the last automatic qualification spot, as well as the play-off berth that comes with finishing third.

Saudi Arabia currently occupy that position, trailing DPR Korea by a point but with a game in hand and victory in Seoul will see them gain the ascendancy ahead of the crucial clash between the two countries on June 17 at King Fahd International Stadium.

“We will do everything we can to get the results we need to make it five in a row for Saudi Arabia,” said Peseiro as he arrived in Seoul on Monday from a week-long training camp in China.

There, the Green Falcons warmed up in style with a 4-1 thrashing of China and confidence in the camp is high.

“Our players are in great shape and in good form and we believe they can produce a very good game on Wednesday,” added the Portuguese tactician.

Iran and DPR Korea will be keeping their fingers crossed for a home win and Peseiro, who has resurrected the Saudi campaign since being appointed in February, knows they will be in for a tough examination despite Korea Republic having nothing to play for.

“We know that although Korea Republic have qualified, they will try their best to win. We will also be doing the same and it should be a good game. They are a great team and are playing well at the moment so it is going to be a very difficult match for us,” he admitted.

Korea Republic are likely to make a number of changes from the team that won in Dubai. Lee Young-pyo and midfielder Kim Jung-woo are suspended while Kim Chi-woo is injured.

Wigan Athletic’s Cho Won-hee will start in midfield and there could be a first appearance in over three years for Choi Tae-uk. Forwards Yoo Byung-soo and Yang Dong-hyun could also be in line for debuts.

Despite the changes, coach Huh Jung-moo is looking to extend his unbeaten run of 23 games.

“We will do our best to win against Saudi Arabia and Iran,” he insisted.

“We want to win for ourselves to maintain this good form and our levels of confidence.”

His comments were echoed by young midfielder Ki Sung-yung who will line-up alongside Manchester United’s Park Ji-sung.

“We made mistakes in the last game and while we are in a comfortable position, we want to win for our own self-confidence and advance to the World Cup in the best way possible,” he added.