SOUTH KOREA vs. BELGIUM
Date: June 26, 2014
Time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 2-0-1 Belgium
Last Match: 1999 Friendly. Belgium def. South Korea 2-1.
Line: Belgium -155
Group H Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.
Team Profiles
World Ranking: South Korea (57th), Belgium (11th)
Managers: Hong Myung-Bo (KOR), Marc Wilmots (BEL)
Captains: Koo Ja-Cheol (KOR), Vincent Kompany (BEL)
World Cup Appearances: 9 (KOR), 12 (BEL)
Best Finish: South Korea (Fourth Place, 2002), Belgium (Fourth Place, 1986)
Qualifying Records: South Korea (8-3-3, GF: 27, GA: 11), Belgium (8-0-2, GF: 18, GA: 4)
Previous Game Results
South Korea
Belgium
June 17th - Belgium def. Algeria 2-1
June 22nd - Belgium def. Russia 1-0
Rosters
Injuries/Discipline
Belgium: Toby Alderweireld (Yellow Card), Vincent Kompany (Out - Groin), Thomas Vermaelen (Out - Leg), Jan Vertonghen (Yellow Card), Axel Witsel (Yellow Card)
Overview
It's win or go home time for South Korea if they want to keep their World Cup going. Standing in the way is a Belgian side that has underperformed despite winning both of their first 2 matches.
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots has already stated he will be resting several players in this game to get them healthy before the Round of 16. Whether or not Korea are able to take advantage of those absences (mostly on defence) remains to be seen.
Korea scored twice against Algeria last game but that was just the 3rd game in their last 8 in which Korea had managed to find the back of the net. This is a team that is struggling in both ends of the field coming in, never a good sign as they prepare to face tournament darlings Belgium.
Korea employ a variation of a 4-4-1-1 formation with Son Heung-Min playing a floating role between the striker and the midfielders. Son being on form is key for Korea to have any success against Belgium, as he can both facilitate the ball and score himself.
Belgium should stick with their 4-2-3-1 formation in this game. Exact personnel changes are not known but it is expected Divock Origi will be given the start in place of Romelu Lukaku as striker. Lukaku has been a non-factor in Belgium's first 2 group games.
Personnel
In the Korean Third: Bad news for Korea here is that Eden Hazard is expected to play. This is a Korean defensive line that frankly can't stop anything right now. Even if Belgium rest players, they have plenty of attacking talent on the bench to make up for it. Advantage: Belgium.
In the Midfield: Korea is likely to push their midfield higher up the field today needing a win. Belgium haven't been overly confident in possession and may have difficulty with the pace and energy of Korea. Advantage: Even.
In the Belgian Third: Van Buyten may be the only Belgian starter on their back line to play today. Entirely possible that Belgium goes with all backups defensively. This would be a concern for many teams, but Belgium's depth is excellent in the back and Korea offer little in the way of quality scoring options anyway. Advantage: Belgium.
Goalkeeping: Thibaut Courtois vs. 4 goals surrendered to Algeria. Advantage: Belgium.
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots has already stated he will be resting several players in this game to get them healthy before the Round of 16. Whether or not Korea are able to take advantage of those absences (mostly on defence) remains to be seen.
Korea scored twice against Algeria last game but that was just the 3rd game in their last 8 in which Korea had managed to find the back of the net. This is a team that is struggling in both ends of the field coming in, never a good sign as they prepare to face tournament darlings Belgium.
Korea employ a variation of a 4-4-1-1 formation with Son Heung-Min playing a floating role between the striker and the midfielders. Son being on form is key for Korea to have any success against Belgium, as he can both facilitate the ball and score himself.
Belgium should stick with their 4-2-3-1 formation in this game. Exact personnel changes are not known but it is expected Divock Origi will be given the start in place of Romelu Lukaku as striker. Lukaku has been a non-factor in Belgium's first 2 group games.
Personnel
In the Korean Third: Bad news for Korea here is that Eden Hazard is expected to play. This is a Korean defensive line that frankly can't stop anything right now. Even if Belgium rest players, they have plenty of attacking talent on the bench to make up for it. Advantage: Belgium.
In the Midfield: Korea is likely to push their midfield higher up the field today needing a win. Belgium haven't been overly confident in possession and may have difficulty with the pace and energy of Korea. Advantage: Even.
In the Belgian Third: Van Buyten may be the only Belgian starter on their back line to play today. Entirely possible that Belgium goes with all backups defensively. This would be a concern for many teams, but Belgium's depth is excellent in the back and Korea offer little in the way of quality scoring options anyway. Advantage: Belgium.
Goalkeeping: Thibaut Courtois vs. 4 goals surrendered to Algeria. Advantage: Belgium.
South Korea will win if:
Have to go full out-attack from the start. They need a win by a few goals and help from the other Group H game to advance. And with all due respect, their defensive line is horrendous. Sticking guys back in support isn't going to help that, it's only going to ensure they don't advance from this group. Go for broke in this game, pressure Belgium as high and as much as possible and hope they can take advantage of a second-string Belgian defence.
Belgium will win if:
Slow the game down as much as possible, minimize turnovers and look for long balls over the top to beat the Korean press. Belgium have an opportunity to pile goals on in this game, if they can get through the Korean line at midfield. Easier said then done and they'll be harried all game, but if they can limit the times Korea takes the ball off them and beat the press, they'll be rewarded. Frequently.
Korea has a chance to take advantage of a 2nd-string Belgian team but few teams have better depth in this tournament. Even Belgium at 2nd-rate is probably a better team then everyone else in the group. I expect Korea to cause a few problems but unable to pull out the victory and their back line lets them down again.
Belgium 2-1 South Korea
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