South Korea to play Saudi Arabia and Qatar in Doha in November after venue change
In short
The Korea Football Association said on 22 October that the national team will play Saudi Arabia on 13 November and Qatar on 17 November, both in Doha. The team had first planned to play in Saudi Arabia but moved the games to Qatar, citing the recent local situation. The two games are seen as a test for interim coach Roberto Moreno.
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The Korea Football Association said on 22 October that the South Korean men's national team will play two friendlies in Doha, Qatar, in November. The team will face Saudi Arabia, ranked 55th by FIFA, on 13 November and Qatar, ranked 60th, four days later on 17 November. Kickoff is 23:30 Korean time for the first game and 23:00 for the second. The stadiums have not been announced and will be confirmed later. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
The team is led by interim coach Roberto Moreno, and the games fall in the November FIFA international window. Several outlets described the away pair as preparation for the Asian Cup, which is due to be held in Saudi Arabia in January. Yonhap said the team plans to improve its adaptation to local conditions and refine its tactical combinations and organisation against two strong Middle Eastern opponents. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 ]
The association had initially sought to play the games in Saudi Arabia, the Asian Cup host, but changed the venue to Doha after considering the recent local situation. Hankook Ilbo reported that attacks on Saudi Arabia by Yemen's pro-Iran Houthi rebels had destabilised the situation there. Seoul Shinmun reported that the Houthi offensive had intensified and that the venue was changed with the squad's safety in mind. Newsis separately wrote that, despite recent security unrest in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East trip had been arranged, and that forecasts say the January Asian Cup could be postponed. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 9 ]
Several outlets said the games bear on Moreno's future. Chosun Ilbo wrote that the two games will help decide whether his contract is extended to the Asian Cup. Seoul Shinmun said the association had planned to give him six games in September to November and decide on the Asian Cup from the results and the quality of play, and that his first four games produced two wins, a draw and a loss, below expectations, with internal conflict among team members also revealed. Newsis reported that Moreno took over after Hong Myung-bo left following the team's group-stage exit at the World Cup. [ 1 , 7 , 9 ]
On the head-to-head record, Korea has played Saudi Arabia 19 times, with five wins, nine draws and five losses. The latest meeting was the round of 16 at the Asian Cup in Qatar in January 2024, which ended 1-1 and was won by Korea on penalties, sending it to the quarter-finals. Against Qatar, Korea has won six of 11 games, drawn two and lost three, most recently winning a friendly 2-1 in Austria in November 2020. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
Newsis reported that Moreno will announce the squad for the November games on 29 October at the Korea Football Park in Cheonan, South Chungcheong. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
The outlets describe the games as a warm-up for the Asian Cup due in Saudi Arabia in January. Several also say the results will weigh on whether interim coach Moreno's term is extended to the tournament.
Key facts
- The Korea Football Association announced on 22 October that the team will play Saudi Arabia on 13 November and Qatar on 17 November. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
- Both games will be in Doha, with venues to be announced later. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
- Kickoff times are 23:30 and 23:00 Korean time respectively. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
- The FIFA rankings given are Saudi Arabia 55th and Qatar 60th. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 ]
- The team first planned to play in Saudi Arabia but changed the venue to Doha, citing the recent local situation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Moreno will announce the squad for the November games on 29 October at the Korea Football Park in Cheonan, South Chungcheong, Newsis reported. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- South Korea will play Saudi Arabia on 13 November and Qatar on 17 November, both in Doha, with venues still to be decided. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
- The venue was moved to Doha from Saudi Arabia, the Asian Cup host, after the Korea Football Association took the recent local situation into account. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Korea's record against Saudi Arabia is 5 wins, 9 draws and 5 losses in 19 games, and against Qatar 6 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses in 11 games. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
Still unclear
- The exact reason for moving the games out of Saudi Arabia. The association cited the recent local situation. Hankook Ilbo and Seoul Shinmun linked the move to Houthi attacks and player safety, and a Chosun Ilbo headline mentions a missile attack, but the association's statement as quoted does not name a cause.
- Whether the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia in January will go ahead as scheduled. Newsis said there are forecasts that the tournament could be postponed, without saying who made them.
- Whether Moreno's term will be extended to the Asian Cup. Outlets say it will be decided after the November games, but no decision has been reported.
- The venues for the two games. The association said stadium details will be announced once confirmed.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Chosun Ilbo published its report on the games on 22 October. [ 1 ]
- Yonhap published its report on 22 October, citing the two dates and Doha as the venue. [ 2 ]
- Chosun Ilbo's sports desk reported the announcement as official, on 22 October. [ 6 ]
- Seoul Shinmun reported that the opponents and dates were confirmed, on 22 October. [ 7 ]
- Newsis published an article on 23 October on the pressure on Moreno's team before the November games. [ 9 ]