In a highly anticipated showdown at the Education City Stadium, Saudi Arabia and South Korea are gearing up for a fierce battle in the round-of-16 encounter of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia, having secured seven points from three group matches, emerged victorious in Group F. The Green Falcons kicked off their campaign with a 2-1 triumph over Oman, followed by a convincing 2-0 win against Kyrgyzstan. However, their final group fixture saw Roberto Mancini’s side settling for a goalless draw against Thailand.
This marks a significant turnaround for Saudi Arabia, which endured early exits in the previous two editions. Unbeaten in their last eight games, the Middle Eastern side is hitting their stride at the right time, setting the stage for an intriguing clash against Asian giants like South Korea.
On the other hand, the Taegeuk Warriors secured the second spot in Group E with five points from three games. Their campaign began with a 3-1 victory over Bahrain, followed by draws against Jordan (2-2) and Malaysia (3-3).
As the two teams prepare to lock horns, a look at the head-to-head records and key statistics reveals the intense history between them. This will be the 20th meeting, with South Korea winning seven times and losing on six occasions. Saudi Arabia has struggled to find the back of the net in their last four encounters against South Korea, with their last victory dating back to August 2005 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The teams last clashed in September 2023, where South Korea secured a narrow 1-0 victory. South Korea enters the knockout stage unbeaten in their last nine games, while Saudi Arabia boasts an eight-game unbeaten streak. The Taegeuk Warriors hold the 23rd spot in the FIFA world rankings, whereas Saudi Arabia is positioned at 56th.
Despite both teams being in stellar form, South Korea is considered the favorites due to their quality, experience, and overall pedigree. However, Saudi Arabia’s resilient defense is expected to pose a serious challenge for the Taegeuk Warriors.
In a bold prediction, the match is expected to be closely contested, potentially extending to penalties. Ultimately, South Korea is favored to emerge victorious in a penalty shootout.
Prediction: Saudi Arabia 1-1 (3-4 on penalties) South Korea
Saudi Arabia vs South Korea Match Time
| Match | Nepal Time | Global Time | Date |
| Saudi Arabia vs South Korea | 9:45 pm | 11 a.m. ETÂ | January 30 |
