South Korea Football Association has sacked coach Uli Stielike after Qatar loss

South Korea coach Uli Stielike was sacked, just two days after a 3-2 loss to Qatar put the country's hopes of automatic qualification for next year's World Cup finals in jeopardy.

The 62-year-old former Germany midfielder, who took over on a four-year contract in 2014, had been under pressure after two defeats in four qualifiers going into Tuesday's match.

The loss in Doha leaves the Red Devils just one point ahead of Uzbekistan in second place in Group A of Asian qualifying with two matches remaining. The Uzbeks host South Korea in the final round of matches in early September.

South Korea have played in the last eight World Cup finals, reaching the semi-finals on home soil in 2002, and, under Stielike, were losing finalists at the 2015 Asian Cup.