After slipping against a high-quality Jordan squad, South Korea hope to pick themselves back up and secure the top spot in their Asian Cup group as they meet 130th-ranked Malaysia in the final round of Group E matches.
Jurgen Klinsmann's side required a 91st-minute own-goal to snatch a 2-2- draw last time out, giving them four points through their first two games. That has put the Taeguk Warriors into the knockout stage, but a win against Malaysia here would ensure them the top spot in the group, an important distinction for their path through the knockout rounds.
They are also reeling after news that goalkeeper Seung-Gyu Kim, who started the opening-round win over Bahrain, suffered a torn ACL in training, which sees Hyun-Woo Cho step in the rest of the way. Wolves forward Hee-Chan Hwang has yet to take the field as he recovers from a muscle injury, but his return isn't far off, a big boost to an already formidable attacking unit.
Malaysia have yet to earn a point or score a goal in their two Asian Cup matches thus far, and with third-place Bahrain already on three points and a superior goal differential, it seems qualification may be a fleeting prospect, but they will still target a consolation result of the highest order.
CANADA: Click here to see the latest odds for South Korea vs Malaysia and bet Asian Cup matches
South Korea vs Malaysia prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: South Korea (-900)
- Score prediction: South Korea 4-1 Malaysia
This is a massive moment for Malaysia, as they have not played one of Asia's top-ranked nations since meeting Uzbekistan in a friendly back in 2021. Yet it just feels a bit out of reach for them.
The Tigers have come up well short in each of their opportunities for a shocking upset in the past few years, beaten 5-1 by Uzbekistan in that aforementioned friendly while falling 4-1 to Jordan earlier this month in Group E play. They have done well to establish themselves as a contender amongst the bottom tier of Asian footballing nations, and are on the rise, but that process is lengthy and an upset here would be of such monumental levels that it feels too much to ask.
| Sports Interaction (Canada) |
|
| South Korea win | -900 |
| Draw | +857 |
| Malaysia win | +2200 |
| Both teams to score Y/N |
+145 / -210 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals |
-275 / +188 |
| South Korea -2.5 goals |
-115 |
| Malaysia +2.5 goals |
-120 |
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South Korea vs Malaysia match facts
- Date: Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024
- Kickoff Time: 2:30 p.m. local (6:30 a.m. ET / 3:30 a.m. PT)
- Location: Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
- Last meeting: None (First meeting)
South Korea vs Malaysia best bet
- Pick: South Korea -2.5 goal differential
- Odds: +115 (Sports Interaction)
While South Korea have struggled to finish chances at a high rate this tournament, missing five "big chances" through their first two games, they have generated such a huge volume of attacking opportunities that against the bottom-tier team in the group, they could rack up goals.
This could especially be the case if Hee-Chan Hwang returns to the pitch here. The Wolves forward may not risk his health in a match where South Korea are such huge favourites, but it's also a good opportunity to regain fitness before bigger games ahead. Look for South Korea to run up the score to give themselves confidence going into the knockout stage.
South Korea vs Malaysia prop bet
- Pick: Both teams to score — YES
- Odds: +145 (Sports Interaction)
South Korea have done well to generate attacking chances in bulk, but at the cost of their defensive solidity. They have conceded in each of their first two matches, and the loss of their goalkeeper to serious injury only adds to the defensive woes. Kim Min-Jae needs help if he is to lead this back line into matches against more formidable foes.
Malaysia, meanwhile, have not been smothered by each of their first two opponents. Against Jordan, who profile similarly to South Korea, they managed 52 percent possession and eight total shots, including three on target, missing their one opportunity designated as a "big chance." If they can take their chances against South Korea, they may walk out of the match with something to savor even if the scoreline leans heavily in the opposite direction.
