The national soccer team on Friday faces a weakened Uzbekistan in a World Cup qualifier.

A win in Tashkent will bring South Korea to within a point of clinching a berth. Its remaining games are in Kuwait Wednesday and at home versus Saudi Arabia on August 18th.

Last in its group, Uzbekistan is missing several key players due to injury or snub of the national team and must win to have any chance of staying alive.

Its coach Ravshan Haydarov said his team will focus on containing Park Ji-sung, Cha Doo-ri and other foreign-based players.

South Korea coach Jo Bonfrere said he expects Uzbekistan to play better at home than in its 2-1 loss in Seoul in March.

Four newcomers will debut for the national team in the game, most notably rookie sensation Park Ju-young.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils, the official cheering squad of the national soccer team, will gather in downtown Seoul to cheer the team.

Some 300 Red Devils left for Tashkent earlier in the day to cheer the team along with ethnic Koreans in Uzbekistan.