Aware that Sweden will pose a stiff challenge and chances could be at a premium, head coach Shin Tae-yong has had his players working on set-pieces behind closed doors.

This has been ongoing since Shin named the 23-player squad and such is his desire for the element of surprise that the Korea Republic coach decided against using any of the set-pieces in the friendly against Senegal last week, despite it being played behind closed doors.

In a recent friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ki threw away his captain's armband in the locker room during the halftime break after his side conceded two goals at home. 

After Korea Republic were held to a 0-0 draw against Bolivia in their pre-2018 FIFA World Cup Russia tune-up match in Austria, the Swansea City midfielder told reporters that he felt like he was a "liar" since he couldn't keep his word to fans with the poor results.

It will be Korea Republic's ninth consecutive appearance in the FIFA World Cup, and 10th overall, with Shin Tae-yong's side facing a steep challenge with the likes of defending champions Germany, Sweden and Mexico to contend with.

The two-time AFC Asian Cup champions, however, are confident they will be able to match their opponents and seal a place in the Knockout Stage.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia is set to boast the largest contingent of sides representing the Asian continent with Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Islamic Republic of Iran and Australia all set to take to the field against the world's best.

The-AFC.com reached out to experts from each of the five countries, for a representative to give their thoughts on their country's chances and how they see things potentially playing out.

The Portuguese coach, leading Team Melli in the FIFA World Cup for the second time running, credited the players for a hard-fought win. IR Iran were made to wait until the final minute of added time to find a winner through an own goal from Moroccan defender Aziz Bouhaddouz.

“This win was the result of hard work, intelligent cohesion and a great attitude from the players,” said Queiroz, following the team’s first FIFA World Cup win since 1998.

Morocco dominated for extended spells at Kretsovsky Stadium, but resilient defending from the Iranians helped keep a clean sheet, before delivering the killer blow in the dying seconds after Ehsan Hajsafi curled in a free-kick from the left flank that Bouhaddouz headed past his own goalkeeper.

Four years after failing to win a game at Brazil 2014, a late change saw Japan replacing Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic with Akira Nishino last month.

Having suffered two 2-0 friendly defeats to Ghana and Switzerland under Nishino's leadership, Japan appeared to be set for another World Cup struggle.

But a 4-2 win over Paraguay before arriving in Russia rekindled belief among the squad that they can battle their way out of a group also featuring Senegal and Poland.

Their best achievement in the FIFA World Cup was their appearance in the Round of 16 in the 2006 edition and Australia, who qualified for Russia 2018 after a gruelling campaign, are quietly optimistic of their chances of equalling, if not bettering, that.

They will have to be at their best though for 1998 World Cup winners France, Denmark and Peru will be formidable opposition.