Venue: Seoul World Cup Stadium Wednesday, June 17th 2009 Kick-Off:12:00

South Korea host Iran at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Wednesday in the Asian group zone of the World Cup Qualifiers live on Eurosport.

South Korea may have booked top spot and their place in South Africa already, but the battle for the last slot is fiercely contested between Saudi Arabia, North Korea and Iran. These three Asian heavyweights all have prior experience in football's showpiece event, but only one will be celebrating today when the final full round of continental qualifying ends. One will miss out completely and one will have to settle for third place in the group and a play off series in October and November.

The picture in Group B is uncertain as they head into the final game, Only South Korea can at least be certain of top spot, while Saudi Arabia and North Korea are tied in 2nd in the Group standings with 11 points and Iran is in fourth place with 10 points.

Iran need to claim a victory, ending a 13 game unbeaten streak for the Koreans, and hope that the other game in Group B betweeb Saudi Arabia and North Korea ends as a draw. That combination would send them directly to South Africa. If Iran win, and there is a positive result in the second game, than they go to the play-offs, whilst an Iran draw or defeat would leave the two participants in the other game favourite to progress.

Iran's coach Afshin Ghotbi has promised the Iran fans his side they'll be in South Africa next summer, and the former Korea assistant, will be hoping he isn't left with hollow words come the end of qualification.
After taking over with Iran's hopes seemingly buried he has overseen a transformation that sees Iran remarkably still in with a shout of qualification.

Korean coach Huh Jung-moo has insisted they will be playing their strongest side against Iran, as they look to finish the qualification with a flourish. It's expected that the first choice strike partnership of Park Chu-young and Lee Keun-ho will continue after they played in the 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia at the weekend. Manchester United's Ji Sung-park will also continue in the midfield having announced his intention to quit international football in 2011 meaning that the World Cup in South Africa will be his last.

Afshin Ghotbi, Iran manager, was delighted to have Osasuna midfielder Javad Nekounam back in the starting line-up for the weekend's clash with the UAE, and he, along with Ali Karimi played an important role in their win. After electing to go with just one up front against the UAE and flood the midfield with six, Ghotbi may be tempted to try a front two against Soth Korea knowing that a win would guarantee at least third place.

Iran often perform best when there is pressure on them, but they are yet to win away from Tehran, and the first victory on the road is unlikely to come in Seoul. They do have though have enough about them to grab a draw against a Korean side who may not be fully at the races, which would leave them waiting for news of the other game to filter through.

Dave's Prediction:

South Korea 0 Iran 1 @ 8.50 with Skybet