South Korea's Football National Team Secures A Knock-Out Spot In The 2018 FIFA World Cup

South Koreans secured a knockout spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Thursday.

Korea Times reported that FIFA has ruled that the Kuwait-Myanmar match initially scheduled for Nov. 17, 2015 in the second round of the World Cup qualification has been forfeited by Kuwait. As a result, the match recorded a 3-0 win for Myanmar.

The ruling saw South Korea secure the top place on Group G. They will advance to the third round as one of the eight qualifying groups.

Yonhap News Agency reported that with 23 goals, South Korea has won a total of six matches so far. It is also leading Group G with 18 points and has two more matches to play.

According to the Korea Herald, South Korea had earlier on clinched a knockout berth at the U-17 World Cup in October 2015. The country defeated New Guinea 1-0 for their second straight victory in Group B after Oh Se Hun scored a goal at Estadio La Portada in La Serena.

It's the first time for South Korea to secure a spot among the group of 16 since 2009.

Elsewhere, Kuwait is currently in the second position with 10 points. However, FIFA suspended the Kuwait Football Association last October for failing to amend its sports law. All teams and clubs in Kuwait were banned from international tournaments including the scheduled match against Myanmar that never took place.

Reports show that the Kuwaiti government had been interfering with the national football body, which resulted to FIFA calling for a policy that would stop the interference.

Despite having already earned 10 points, Lebanon came in at number three because of a goal difference. The top four runners up will move to the third round along with the eight winning teams.

Reports show that since 1986, South Korea has made eight consecutive appearances and nine overall in the FIFA World Cup tournaments.