Korea Republic have virtually secured their place in the Final Round of the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup China 2023. 

Paulo Bento’s side defeated Sri Lanka 5-0 in the penultimate Group H match at Goyang Stadium on Wednesday. Bento’s charges had claimed another comprehensive win by the same scoreline against Turkmenistan four days earlier.

The Taegeuk Warriors are now on top of Group H with 13 points (4W 1D), with their final group game against Lebanon to take place at the same venue on Sunday. Second-placed Lebanon, for their part, lost 3-2 against Turkmenistan earlier in the afternoon and failed to close the gap behind the leaders. With a seemingly unassailable advantage on goal difference, Korea Republic are almost certain to reach the final round as group winners unless they lose to Lebanon by a considerable margin.

Bento reshuffled his squad against the Sri Lanka side that had already been eliminated from Group H. Hwang Heechan, Kim Shinwook and debutant Song Minkyu led the three-pronged attack; Nam Taehee, Lee Donggyeong and Son Junho in midfield; Lee Kije, Park Jisu, Won Dujae and Kim Taehwan at the back; Jo Hyeonwoo between the sticks.

The host made their intentions clear from the outset, with Lee Donggyeong warming up with a shot on target and Nam Taehee missing a good opportunity with only the keeper to beat. The first goal arrived after 15 minutes, when Kim Shinwook latched onto a headed pass from Nam. Kim celebrated his goal by lifting a Korea Republic No6 jersey to commemorate late Yoo Sangchul, who had passed away earlier this week.

The Taegeuk Warriors kept up the pressure, and Lee Donggyeong connected Song’s low cross from the left with a clinical finish to score his first goal for Korea Republic on 22 minutes. It was Song’s first assist on his senior international debut as well. Hwang and Nam then combined to create a similar chance on 35 minutes, though the duo could not convert it from the opposite side of the area.

However, it was again Kim that scored his second and Korea Republic’s third of the night from the spot on the stroke of half time, after Hwang was brought down inside the area. With the three-goal cushion in hand, Bento brought Kwon Changhoon and Kim Minjae on for Nam and Park respectively during the interval.

Hwang came out strong into the second half, firing home a powerful effort after receiving a loose ball from the left side of the box. Moments later, his cross caused havoc in Sri Lanka goalmouth as Kim Shinwook lurked into the area looking for his third.

Trailing 4-0, the visitors were dealt another blow just before the hour-mark, as Asikur Rahuman received his marching orders for a second bookable offence. But the hosts struggled to find a breakthrough against the stubborn defence of Sri Lanka, who were desperate to avoid a drubbing. Jeong Sangbin and Kang Sangwoo came off the bench to replace Kim Shinwook and Lee Kije respectively, as Bento introduced yet another debutants midway through the second half.

And it only took five minutes for Jeong to score his first goal on his international debut, as the 19-year-old flicked on Lee Donggyeong’s cross-cum-shot from the edge of the area. Jeong went on to impress with a series of daring runs through the Sri Lanka rearguard, to keep the visitors at bay until the final whistle was blown.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023

Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 – Group H

Sri Lanka 0-5 Korea Republic

Scorers: Kim Shinwook 15’ 43’(pen), Lee Donggyeong 22’, Hwang Heechan 53’, Jeong Sangbin 77’

KOR: Jo Hyeonwoo; Kim Taehwan, Won Dujae, Park Jisu (Kim Minjae 46’), Lee Kije (Kang Sangwoo 72’); Son Junho (Kim Youngbin 82’), Lee Donggyeong, Nam Taehee (Kwon Changhoon 46’); Hwang Heechan, Kim Shinwook (Jeong Sangbin 72’) Song Minkyu