S. Korea beats Kuwait 1-0 in Asian, World Cup qualifiers

KUWAIT, Oct 8 (KUNA) -- South Korea defeated Kuwait 1-0 in the fourth round of Group 7 of World and Asian Cup qualifiers late Thursday at Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium in Kuwait City.
Midfielder Koo Ja-cheol scored the only goal with a header in the 12th minute, putting his team in the first place of the group with 12 points, while Kuwait came in second with nine points.
South Korea dominated the game, especially after scoring the goal, while Kuwait squandered two opportunities in the 15th and 22nd minutes of the first half and three in the 63rd, 85th and 86th minutes.
South Korea had several opportunities to score as it kept the pressure on the rivals in the second half, but Kuwait's goalie Hameed Youssef scattered them. South Korea will host Kuwait in the second leg on March 29. Kuwait will play Lebanon on October 13.
There are eight groups of five teams in the current stage, and the eight group winners, along with four best runners-up, will reach the third round.
South Korea will next play Myanmar on November 12, and then Laos on November 17. (end) bs.msa.hm