Preview of the Asian World Cup Qualifiers: Bangkok Weather a Boon for China, Korea Aims for Swift Victory

The second phase of the Asian World Cup qualifiers kicked off on the night of November 16th, Beijing time. While most parts of China have entered early winter, Bangkok remains in a hot and humid summer climate. The Chinese national team can reasonably attribute any potential loss to the weather, a factor beyond reproach. South Korea's primary objective in this international break is to avenge their loss to China in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Facing Singapore in their opening match, Jürgen Klinsmann's squad aims to secure a swift victory to rest their main players.

Thailand vs China - How is Songkrasin Performing Now?

When the number of World Cup slots for Asia increased from 4.5 to 8.5, many fans naively believed that FIFA made this decision to cater to the Chinese market. However, the group draw for this World Cup qualifiers suggests otherwise. South Korea’s strength is undisputed, and while Thailand lost to China in the 2019 Asian Cup, fans had already sensed their rapid progress. Surpassing China seemed only a matter of time. Back then, with Marcello Lippi at the helm, China's combat effectiveness was significantly stronger than it is now.

In the last two World Cup qualifiers, China reached the final round, largely because their strength was noticeably superior to other teams in their group, aside from the top seed. However, this year’s draw proved the old adage that “what goes around comes around.” Among the nine groups, only Groups B, I, and C (China's group) feature second and third-tier teams with relatively equal strength, and China finds itself in this challenging mix.

Although Thailand made a strong impression in the 2019 Asian Cup and has made rapid strides in recent years, their performance in the last World Cup qualifiers was dismal. In the second stage of the qualifiers, despite being grouped with three other Southeast Asian teams to surround the UAE, Thailand only managed to finish fourth in their group, even trailing Malaysia. They peaked with a home win against the UAE but then saw their form plummet, losing twice to Malaysia and facing harsh criticism from all quarters.

Since the final round of the World Cup qualifiers, China has only participated in the East Asian Cup, a competition with a heavy emphasis on warm-up matches. In contrast, while Thailand did not reach the final round, they competed in the Southeast Asian Championship (formerly the Tiger Cup) after last year's World Cup. Southeast Asian teams take this tournament seriously, and Thailand did not disappoint, defeating Vietnam in the final to claim the title. Following that, they played a series of friendlies, but apart from a 2-1 win over Lebanon, there were no highlights.

The last encounter between China and Thailand occurred in March 2019 during the China Cup. Despite having home advantage, China’s strength was clearly inferior to Thailand’s at that time. Thai attacking core Chanathip Songkrasin, known as the "Thai Messi," was still playing in the J.League then. China's defense treated him like the real Messi, and he dribbled past defenders with ease, scoring the decisive goal. As he aged, Songkrasin returned to Thailand to play for BG Pathum United and recently showcased his skills again in the AFC Champions League qualifiers, eliminating Shanghai Port.

With most of China’s players coming from clubs that have already entered early winter, they may struggle to adapt to Bangkok’s over 30-degree weather. Thailand is likely to secure a 2-1 victory over China.

South Korea vs Singapore - China is the True Target for Son Heung-min and Company

Appointed after last year's World Cup, South Korea’s coach Jürgen Klinsmann is facing his first major test. Klinsmann’s coaching career has been intermittent compared to his illustrious playing career. His first coaching job was with the German national team, but after each dismissal, he typically took two to three years off. So far, his longest stint was with the U.S. national team. After leaving the U.S. team in 2016, he waited three years before taking a brief role with Hertha Berlin, lasting just ten matches. Another three years later, the Taeguk Warriors came calling, though the reasons remain unclear.

Since taking over, Klinsmann has led South Korea in eight friendlies, winning only three, which has increased the pressure on him. In the last World Cup qualifiers, Singapore automatically advanced to the second round and managed to win two matches, a respectable record. This year, they entered the second round by defeating Guam in the first round, but given the strength of the other teams in their group, their goal is likely just to gain experience.

South Korea’s key European-based players have returned to the national team, but their main focus for this international break is undoubtedly the away match against China on the 21st. After all, China defeated Korea at home in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. In the match against Singapore, South Korea aims to secure an early victory. Since the K-League title race is essentially decided, domestic players can give their all. South Korea is expected to win 4-0 against Singapore.

Analysis and Implications

The unpredictable weather conditions in Bangkok could play a crucial role in the outcome of the Thailand vs. China match. China's struggle to adapt to the hot and humid climate could tilt the scales in favor of Thailand. Moreover, Thailand's recent track record and tactical evolution under their current setup make them a formidable opponent.

South Korea’s strategic approach under Klinsmann will be closely scrutinized. While the match against Singapore is crucial, the real test lies in their encounter with China. Managing player fatigue and ensuring peak performance for the more challenging fixture will be essential.

For China, adapting to adverse weather and overcoming recent form challenges will be key. The team needs to leverage their experience and possibly look for strategic innovations to counter Thailand’s dynamic play. The reliance on veteran players and integrating younger talents effectively will also play a significant role.

As the qualifiers progress, the strategies and performances of these teams will shape the dynamics within their respective groups. The outcomes of these matches will not only influence their qualification prospects but also provide insights into their preparations for the World Cup.

The journey to the World Cup is fraught with challenges, and each match adds a layer of complexity and excitement. The tactical decisions, player performances, and external factors like weather will all contribute to the unfolding narrative of the Asian World Cup qualifiers.