Asian cup match today south korea vs china on 16 january 2019. Last match before move to round of 16. Group C,
South Korea and China put their perfect records on the line in Asian Cup Group C when they meet on Wednesday to determine who tops the pool.
Marcello Lippi’s side go into the game with the advantage, having beaten Kyrgyzstan 2-1 and Philippines 3-0. Meanwhile, South Korea have negotiated those fixtures by a single goal margin.
A draw, therefore, would be enough to leave China in first place and open the door to a potentially more straightforward second-round match-up against a third-placed finisher in the round-of-16.
LIVE STREAMING SOUTH KOREA VS CHINA 16.1.2019
South Korea vs China live online: match preview
Veteran schemers Paulo Bento and Marcelo Lippi go head to head in the Al Nahyan Stadium in Adu Dhabi on Wednesday with top spot in Group C – and a kinder draw for the next round – at stake when South Korea take on China at the 2019 Asian Cup.
Both the Portuguese and the Italian have hinted they will make changes to their starting XIs with the knock-out stages in mind: both teams have already ensured their place in the last 16 but China hold the advantage on goal difference, having scored five to South Korea’s two. The Taegeuk Warriors though have yet to concede in the tournament, winning both their previous group games against Kyrgyzstan and Philippines 1-0.
The main selection issue for Bento is whether to give Tottenham forward Son Heung-min, who has just joined up with the squad and could be kept in reserve for the knock-out stages.
South Korea vs China: five Opta facts
-This will be the fourth meeting encounter at the Asian Cup between South Korea and China. The Koreans are so far unbeaten, winning two and drawing one, with their last encounter dating back to 2000 in the third place final (1-0).
– China are looking to win all three of their group matches for the second successive Asian Cup tournament, having done so back in 2015 beating Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and North Korea.
– China have scored more than double the number of goals (5) that Korea Republic have (2) so far in the 2019 finals; but have attempted 12 shots fewer (23) than the Koreans (35).
– Hwang Ui-jo has attempted 13 shots and scored one goal at the 2019 Asian Cup for Korea so far – nine more shots than any other player in the Korea squad.
– Wu Lei and Yu Dabao have both netted twice each already for China at the 2019 Asian Cup. No player managed to score more than three times for the Chinese through the entire 2015 edition of the competition (Sun Ke – three goals).
South Korea vs China: what the coaches said
China coach Marcelo Lippi: “If we are to stop Korea, it must be as a team and that is what I have been stressing to the players. I will rest players who are nursing injuries and yes, Wu Lei will not play as I do not want to risk it. He is recovering but I will leave him out as a precaution. Having said that, I will not be changing 11 players for the Korea match. We have qualified but it is very important for our confidence to play a good match against Korea. They are one of the strongest teams in Asia and are one of the favourites to win the Asian Cup. The condition of my players will determine who starts but our target will be the same – a win.”
South Korea coach Paulo Bento: “They are a very good team with a very good coach [Marcello Lippi] who knows Asian football very well. China will want to win the group and so do we and this means it will be a very good match. As I said, they are a good side and to win, we must take risks.”
Squads & Team News
| Position | South Korea players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Kim S-G, Kim, J-H, Jo H-W |
| Defenders | Kim Y-G, Lee Y, Kim J-S, Hong C, Kim M-J, Jung S-H, Kwon K-W, Kim M-H |
| Midfielders | Ki S-Y, Lee C-Y, Koo J-C, Son H-M, Lee J-S, Jung W-Y, Hwang H-C, Ju S-J, Hwang I-B, Lee S-W |
| Forwards | Ji D-W, Hwang U-J |
Tottenham attacker Son Heung-min has arrived to bolster South Korea’s squad after being allowed to play for his club side.
South Korea boss Paulo Bento otherwise expects to have a full squad to choose from.
Possible South Korea starting XI: Kim S-G; Lee Y, Kim M-J, Kim Y-G, Hong C; Hwang I-B, Jung W-Y; Hwang H-C, Koo J-C, Son H-M; Hwang U-J
| Position | China players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Yan, Zhang L, Wang D |
| Defenders | Liu Yiming, Yu, Shi, Zhang L, Feng, Zhang C, Liu Yang |
| Midfielders | Zhao X, Zheng Z, Hao J, Chi, Wu X, Jin, Yu H, Piao |
| Forwards | Wu L, Xiao, Wei, Gao, Yu D |
Wu Lei shrugged off an injury he sustained against Kyrgyzstan to score twice against the Philippines last Friday and is able to go again on Wednesday.
Marcello Lippi has no other serious selection concerns, though he has hinted he could be tempted to rotate his squad.
Former Charlton and Celtic player Zheng Zhi, who is now 38, is liable to start in midfield.
Possible China starting XI: Yan; Zhang, Shi, Feng, Liu Yang; Zhao X, Zheng; Wu X, Hao, Gao; Wu L
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