With the two Korean nations already assured of progress, Huh intends to use the match at Seoul World Cup Stadium as part of their preparations for the final round as the South Koreans eye a seventh consecutive World Cup appearance.

"The final round is going to be more difficult," said Huh, whose team lead the group on goal difference.

"There will not be any easy games in the final round so we have to prepare thoroughly and Sunday's game is a good chance to do that.

"Our ultimate goal is earning a World Cup berth and the North Korea match will be a step in our preparation for the final phase of the qualification round."

North Korea are tied with their southern neighbours on 11 points and have yet to concede a goal in five group games.

Huh, whose charges were held to a goalless draw in the reverse fixture in March, hopes to end that record.

"North Korea are very defensive and haven't conceded a goal yet in qualification. We need to break through that defence," he said.

While Park Ji-sung is expected to be sidelined by a knee injury, he has an able replacement in West Brom's Kim Do-heon, who scored all three goals in last week's 3-1 win in Turkmenistan.

Midfielder Cho Won-hee has a stress fracture in his left foot and may be replaced by Kim Jung-woo, while Cho Byung-kuk could fill in for the suspended Cho Young-hyong.

North Korea have not been as impressive in front of goal, scoring only four goals in five games, but they beat Jordan 2-0 in Pyongyang last week to progress to the final stage with a brace from Hong Yong-jo.

They arrive in the South Korean capital on Thursday but have said little so far to the media about Sunday's showdown.

Meanwhile, Jordan coach Nelo Vingada is hoping for a positive end to a disappointing World Cup qualification campaign when his side host Turkmenistan at Amman International Stadium.

Following heavy criticism, the Portuguese apologised to Jordanian fans for his team's early elimination but pledged a strong effort by his players against the winless Turkmen.

"Our target now is to prepare the team for the game against Turkmenistan as we must get a good result in that game and get back to winning ways after our previous two defeats," he said.

"We will prepare the players very well because a win will lift their spirits and hopefully we can enjoy a moral victory in that game.

"We want to have a good end to our campaign."

Jordan will be without midfielder Hassouneh Al Shaikh, who is suspended after receiving two yellow cards, while Mohamed Monir returns from a one-match ban.

Turkmenistan, who arrived in Amman on Thursday, are hoping to pick up their first win after recording one point and one goal in their previous five matches.

They will be missing defender Yagmyrmrat Annamyradov and striker Vladimir Bayramov who are suspended after picking up their second yellow cards against South Korea last weekend.