South Korea Host Tunisia for a Telling International Friendly

Korea Republic vs Tunisia

The level of competition in this International Friendly has been heating up as World Cup qualifications are on the horizon.

South Korea are looking to regain momentum after an underwhelming start to the year as they get ready for the AFC Asian Cup in January. Meanwhile, Tunisia have been getting better and better after each international bout they play in.

Both of these teams have a strong chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, but they need to bolster their form and assert their dominance as early as now. These international friendlies might not be so friendly after all.

Talking Points

Looming panic over Jurgen Klinsmann

New South Korea head coach Jurgen Klinsmann is getting some criticism for how he’s handled the Taegeuk Warriors over the past six months. During his time at the helm, Klinsmann’s club hosted four different matches against four different opponents, all of which did not produce a win.

In their last four home games, they tallied two draws against Colombia and El Salvador and got beaten by Uruguay and Peru. The first game they won this calendar year was during their away game against Saudi Arabia just last month.

Some would say that comparison is the thief of joy, but Korean fans can’t help but differentiate Klinsmann from former club manager Paulo Bento. Like Bento, Klinsmann has relocated and is now living in South Korea when he was appointed for the head coaching job. But the media in Seoul calculated that the former German forward has only been in the country for more or less 67 days since his appointment six months ago.

Korean fans and media are outraged that Klinsmann has been spending most of his time in the United States rather than in Korea. “That would be no wins in six games and I’m sure that the Korean media and fans would want him to be sacked so they can prepare for the Asian Cup with a new manager,” said South Korean journalist Lee Sung-mo.

The underlying panic for the South Koreans is seemingly justifiable now that the start of the AFC Asia Cup is fast approaching.

Hannibal Mejbri shines for United

Manchester United’s youngster, Hannibal Mejbri, has been one of the bright spots for Erik ten Hag this season. Admittedly, the Red Devils are not where they want to be at the moment, as they are currently the 10-seed in the Premier League.

Injuries have been a major factor in their underwhelming start to the season, but this creates a great opportunity for Erik ten Hag to showcase and develop his youngsters on the bench. The 20-year-old shined in his starting role for United over the past two matches. He is competent on the ball, but his movement off the ball is what sets him apart.

He is a work horse, as he patrols and controls United’s midfield. The intensity with which he plays is unremarkably special, and in turn, Erik ten Hag convincingly entrusted him with commanding the midfield.

The young star shows his versatility by playing as a winger for the Tunisian football team. Tunisian fans have to be delighted with the fact that Mejbri could both generate and assist on international Friendly 2023 highlights. This serves as a great luxury for head coach Jalel Kadri and the rest of the Tunisian squad to have such a hardworking player to bolster their offence.

Mejbri and the rest of the Carthage Eagles have quietly been on an impressive run this calendar year. They have won four of their six games this year across both friendlies and international competitions.

History

South Korea and Tunisia have only encountered each other once in the last 10 years. The Korean squad hosted the visiting Tunisians for an international friendly in 2014 at Seoul World Cup Stadium. The friendly bout ended with a win for the visiting side with a score line of 0-1.

The Koreans seemed like they were in control of the game in terms of pace and possession. They had convincing attempts at the goal but couldn’t find the back of the net. Tunisian winger Zouheir Dhaouadi scored the only goal of the game in the 44^th minute.

In recent form, South Korea have been struggling to piece things together. They have only won one of their last five games. They won against Saudi Arabia in a friendly bout last month thanks to a beautiful goal by forward Cho Kyu Seong in the 32^nd minute of play. The Taegeuk Warriors aim to push their form after a much-needed win and to regain the calibre of play they are used to.

Tunisia, on the other hand, have been on a roll. The Carthage Eagles have only lost one out of their last five matches, which included a commanding 3-0 clean sheet against Botswana in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. In that game, Tunisian forward Youssed Msakni scored two late goals to secure the win for his club.

The Carthage Eagles have a tough schedule ahead of them as they are set to face South Korea and Japan for international friendlies before they embark on their World Cup qualification campaign.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP International Friendly 2023 odds are right on the money with this match. Korea Republic at 1.71 contains enough value for it to be a good line. The Taegeuk Warriors may well be a more distinct favourite to win this one if it weren’t for their recent match results, but having them priced at 1.71 seems fair. Another line has value is O/U under 2.25 at 2.00. Expect this to be a grit and grind type of match as both clubs are reinforcing their own brand of football for the coming World Cup qualifiers. I personally think that Korea would end up with a clean sheet against Tunisia, especially with Minjae Kim patrolling Korea’s defence.

 

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